Hi, new here, but I've lurked a bit- this site is great and thanks everyone for the advice direct, inderect, and future.
I'm picking up a used 55 gallon tank- want to start my first planted. I'm on a budget (whatever allowance I can squeeze out of hubby). I'm hoping to end up low/med light- med/high tech- I want good strong growth, but want the tank to be ok if I leave for a week or two.
Anyway, keeping in mind co2 might be put on hold for awhile, I'm wondering what lighting to get. I've decided to get the dimond reflector t8 from home depot- should I get the two bulb or 3 bulb fixture? I'd also like to have the light on for as long as possible without getting algea outbreaks- time estimate? As far as space/ width goes, I plan on building a glass sliding top, so I'd need only a few inches to drop food in.
I plan on doing sort of an amazon biotope- more just the style rather than species specific, anubias, crypts, moss, jungle val, maybe sword/fern, driftwood. Also planing on black eco complete and black moon sand- good choices? I heard eco is more greyish... is there a good substrate that is dark black?
Also, would it work to spray paint the outside of the light fixture with rustolium paint? I know it is safe to use on animal cages, but wondering if it would affect the performance of the light fixture. If I can paint it black, it would tone down the hardware look significantly.
Thanks for any and all input!
I'm picking up a used 55 gallon tank- want to start my first planted. I'm on a budget (whatever allowance I can squeeze out of hubby). I'm hoping to end up low/med light- med/high tech- I want good strong growth, but want the tank to be ok if I leave for a week or two.
Anyway, keeping in mind co2 might be put on hold for awhile, I'm wondering what lighting to get. I've decided to get the dimond reflector t8 from home depot- should I get the two bulb or 3 bulb fixture? I'd also like to have the light on for as long as possible without getting algea outbreaks- time estimate? As far as space/ width goes, I plan on building a glass sliding top, so I'd need only a few inches to drop food in.
I plan on doing sort of an amazon biotope- more just the style rather than species specific, anubias, crypts, moss, jungle val, maybe sword/fern, driftwood. Also planing on black eco complete and black moon sand- good choices? I heard eco is more greyish... is there a good substrate that is dark black?
Also, would it work to spray paint the outside of the light fixture with rustolium paint? I know it is safe to use on animal cages, but wondering if it would affect the performance of the light fixture. If I can paint it black, it would tone down the hardware look significantly.
Thanks for any and all input!