Lighting for old newbies.

M

manowar669

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Sep 11, 2004
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I've been an aquarist for over 20 years now. I've had great tanks and not so great tanks. Many would call me old school. I've typically rigged multiple fluorescents with cheapo shoplights, bulbs, and timers for day/night cycles for both salt and fresh (overkill for fresh). What's new and fabulous in lighting. I'm mainly concerned with what's available for 55-125gal fresh and salt tanks. I've seen the Coralife light "banks" at the LFS http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/product/productInfo.web?picGroupKey=10922

Also, CO2 injection for plants, WTF? I thought CO2 was bad for fish?

Opinions?
 
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Mgamer20o0 said:
what are you looking to do? depending on what you want factors in a lot of how good something like this would be.
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Really just a heavily planted (Dutch, with lots of driftwood) 55-125 with lots of light to really bring out the colors of a bunch of Rainbows or similar fish. I've been using powerfilters mostly (with biowheels), but I could get into heavier Cannister filters if need be.
 
with higher light you will need co2 and most likely ferts. is this a option your willing to do? as long as your not adding co2 the bio wheels are fine. when you get more light over the tank the bio wheels will just gas off the co2 being added.

depending on how much you want to invest determines what lighting you should go with.

i never used t5 bulbs but i know others who have and had great results. i would also look into compact fluorescent lighting. ahsupply.com has the best reflectors around.
 
I'm currently looking into lighting for my 55. Compact fluorescents are new to me. I have a standard single bulb hood, but I'm looking for more light. I really like the look of halides, but cheaper is better.
 
If I were you I think I would stick with the shop lights and shoot for 2 w/g gro lights to begin with. I would spend the money and do the CO2 tank and regulator. You do have to be careful with it but that is the part that I think has really improved the plant keeping. When you get used to the newer techniques if you want to grow the harder plants then you can add in some halides.

I don’t do salt water. So if you are headed in that direction ignore all this.
 
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