Lighting help for my new 55g tank

[Derekj03]

This is my first post, i just bought my first fish tank a 55g. I'm planning to do a fully planted tank. My dad has always had fish tanks so i thought i would try my thumb at it. Currently i have the stock lighting which appears to be 2 18" eclipse natural daylight bulbs, they dont say how many watts they have(they came with the hood). What kind of lighting would you guys recommend? Links or model numbers would be helpful. Thanks

[epicfish]

First, what are the dimesions of your 55 gallon tank? If it's a standard 55 gallon, it's probably 48x13x20.

Are you looking for low or high light plants? For low light, I'd aim for 1.5WPG (watts per gallon), so maybe ~80-90 watts of light. For higher light plants, go for ~2.5WPG so about 130 watts.

What's your budget for lighting for the tank? If it's a fully planted tank, I recommend PCs or T5s. I'd go with a T5 setup.

Do you have an existing canopy? If so, there's a few places for retrofit T5 setups. If not, then you can get 48" fixtures.

Give us some more info and we can be more specific.

[Derekj03]

You are correct on the tank size. I'm looking to add alot of differnt plants, i would rather have more light and be able to cut it back then not have enough. I was looking to spend around $100-150 on the lights. I was looking at this one LINK (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=9871&N=2004+113345)
In the 48 inch size. I would also have to replace my standard top with the clear glass ones. Maybe a good retrofit kid would work out. Thanks. -Derek

[epicfish]

Do you plan on having injected CO2?

With high lighting and injected CO2, it will become a high tech, high maintenance tank. You'll have to dose fertilizers at least a few times a week, too...think carefully. =)

[epicfish]

In the link you posted, you should get the 2x65w 48" Coralife fixture. That will put you at about 2.4WPG. This is a very fine line between not requiring the use of CO2 and necessary CO2 injection. You could try Excel (supplemental carbon source for plants, NOT the same as CO2), but you might still get algae outbreaks.

At any level of lighting, CO2 will be beneficial to your plants, but at around the 2WPG-2.5WPG levels, it starts to become mandatory.

If you want to go for a retrofit kit, go to www.ahsupply.com. Their 2x55w retrofit setup will run you about $103. (The Coralife fixture @ DrFostersandSmith runs $102). AHSupply reflectors are one of the best in the power compact world, so you're going to get much more like from the AHSupply kit going directly into your tank compared to the Coralife fixture. I'd venture to guess 120-130% more light.

[Derekj03]

Do you plan on having injected CO2?

With high lighting and injected CO2, it will become a high tech, high maintenance tank. You'll have to dose fertilizers at least a few times a week, too...think carefully. =)

I was considering the use of DIY c02. Maybe a recomendation on fertizers to use would also be benifical. Thanks

[Derekj03]

In the link you posted, you should get the 2x65w 48" Coralife fixture. That will put you at about 2.4WPG. This is a very fine line between not requiring the use of CO2 and necessary CO2 injection. You could try Excel (supplemental carbon source for plants, NOT the same as CO2), but you might still get algae outbreaks.

At any level of lighting, CO2 will be beneficial to your plants, but at around the 2WPG-2.5WPG levels, it starts to become mandatory.

If you want to go for a retrofit kit, go to www.ahsupply.com. Their 2x55w retrofit setup will run you about $103. (The Coralife fixture @ DrFostersandSmith runs $102). AHSupply reflectors are one of the best in the power compact world, so you're going to get much more like from the AHSupply kit going directly into your tank compared to the Coralife fixture. I'd venture to guess 120-130% more light.

I cant seem to find the 2x55w retrofit setup on that site for the price you listed. Do you have a item number or anything i can look up? Thanks-Derek

[epicfish]

DIY CO2 on a 55 gallon would get tedious after a short while.

Here are some options if you plan to inject CO2:
1) 2x55w AHSupply, ~2WPG
2) 2x65w Coralife fixture, ~2WPG
3) 4x65w + lunar lights, Current USA, ~2WPG w/ one power cord, ~4WPG w/ two cords: http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18369/si1381735/cl0/currentusasatellitedual484x65wattpowercompactlight stripw2lunarlights
4) Same thing as #3, no lunar lights, Coralife: http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18369/si1383408/cl0/coralife48aqualightpowercompactstriplight4x65watt
5) 2x65w + lunar lights, Current USA: http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18369/si1381730/cl0/currentusasatellite482x65wattpowercompactsinglestr ipw2lunarlights

The units with two power cords (for two sets of 2x65w) plus another power cord for the lunar lights give you flexibility in your lighting schedule as opposed to a 2x65w with one power cord, so it's an all-or-nothing kinda deal. =P

[iresq]

The 2 X 55 kit is $65. Two bulbs $38. Plus shipping. I just did this on my 55 with perfecto hoods. I modified to the reflector to add led's for moonlighting. I had the stock plastic hood that cast a big shadow with the led's so I replaced with marineland glass tops.

I did not want a high tech tank so this amount of light is working great.

http://www.plantedtank.net/imagehosting/images/tb_upload/525.jpg (http://www.plantedtank.net/imagehosting/view/525/)

Stock and retrofit

http://www.plantedtank.net/imagehosting/images/tb_upload/524.jpg (http://www.plantedtank.net/imagehosting/view/524/)

[Derekj03]

DIY CO2 on a 55 gallon would get tedious after a short while.

Here are some options if you plan to inject CO2:
1) 2x55w AHSupply, ~2WPG
2) 2x65w Coralife fixture, ~2WPG
3) 4x65w + lunar lights, Current USA, ~2WPG w/ one power cord, ~4WPG w/ two cords: http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18369/si1381735/cl0/currentusasatellitedual484x65wattpowercompactlight stripw2lunarlights
4) Same thing as #3, no lunar lights, Coralife: http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18369/si1383408/cl0/coralife48aqualightpowercompactstriplight4x65watt
5) 2x65w + lunar lights, Current USA: http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18369/si1381730/cl0/currentusasatellite482x65wattpowercompactsinglestr ipw2lunarlights

The units with two power cords (for two sets of 2x65w) plus another power cord for the lunar lights give you flexibility in your lighting schedule as opposed to a 2x65w with one power cord, so it's an all-or-nothing kinda deal. =P


Since the ahsupply lights are so much more efficent would this just make things more complicated with me having to incorporate a bottle fed co2 injection system? I would rather just stick to the DIY co2 for now. By the time im done with this tank i wont have any money for fish! lol

[epicfish]

DIY on a 55 gallon would work, but I'd start saving up some money for pressurized if you want to save yourself some time. =)

If you plan to inject any kind of CO2, either DIY or pressurized, then any of the options I listed above will work.