I'm Too Stupid I Guess

[TheIrishJedi]

I am too stupid to pick an appropriate lighthood for my tank. I read these articles and still end up completely clueless. So can someone just tell me what to buy?:1zhelp:

I have a 55g tank.

I want to be able to keep thriving plants that need medium to high lighting.

I am on a budget. Don't want to spend more than $300.

I am thinking of this lighting system:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=13733&prodid=21848&catid=1313

48" 260 watts Includes two, 21"
65 watt Actinic &
two, 21" 65 watt
10,000°K bulbs
(Straight pin base)

Since this is a FW setup I'll be ditching the actinic bulbs.

 

[Wycco]

I upgraded my 55gallon to 2.2wpg for under $40 by taking the existing light fixtures out- spray painting the inside of the lid white and putting in CFLs instead. There are DIY threads out there- so should be an option. Easy, even for an amateur to do.

 

[clb2196]

I upgraded my 55gallon to 2.2wpg for under $40 by taking the existing light fixtures out- spray painting the inside of the lid white and putting in CFLs instead. There are DIY threads out there- so should be an option. Easy, even for an amateur to do.

This is what I did, also. Got about 85 watts into my 36 gallon for $20 or so. This is the guide I followed. I basically doubled it, so I have 4 light bulbs. Mine are 23 watts each (actual wattage not replacement) and 6500k. You could use higher wattage for a 55.

ETA: The light you're looking at seems like it would do the trick though as long as you're willing to spend that much.. If you take the actinics out, maybe you could even stick some moonlights in there! That'd be cool.

 

[Wycco]

Do you have a CO2 system?

260 watts as the system you identify you might buy over a 55gallon tank would be a very strong light- you could grow anything with that- but you better have a CO2 system as well otherwise I suspect you'd get horrendous algae problems.

 

[clb2196]

Do you have a CO2 system?

260 watts as the system you identify you might buy over a 55gallon tank would be a very strong light- you could grow anything with that- but you better have a CO2 system as well otherwise I suspect you'd get horrendous algae problems.

]
Without the actinics though it's 120 watts of daylight. That'd be about perfect for medium light.

 

[SubRosa]

You could get 2 Current T5 HO double strips for half of what you're talking about spending. You'll get more light, less heat, the bulbs will last longer and be cheaper to replace.

 

[SMinNC]

This one would save you some money to put towards a CO2 system.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+9654+9871&pcatid=9871

Thats what I have on the 55g in my sig. The first pic in their shows the two standard 18w fixtures. Those where removed a couple of months ago. I switch to an open top, with just the fixture mentioned above, with legs.

I've been doing a little experimenting, with less of everything. And see I need to get back to adding ferts and co2.

Like mr. Barr says... we can grow anything in 2 wpg. And with the little experience I have with plants, I believe him. Way better than the 3 wpg min. I was reading about a few yrs back.

 

[psyche]

I avoided aquarium lights altogether. I took the lid of and use a normal full spectrum plant growing light from agrosun.

 

[Star_Rider]

I would go T-5 HO

here's one 4 bulb X 54 W individual reflectors:

http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?cPath=141&products_id=1423

or

http://www.fishneedit.com/t5ho-4ft--2lamp-aquarium-light.html

2 bulb X54W


make sure you specify plant bulbs 6500k +

 

[SMinNC]

I would go T-5 HO

Thats probably a good option. I haven't used any yet, myself. But they get alot of possitive post about them.
I could have went with them by the time I bought a light. But found mine onsale for half price, so I got lighting quicker than expected. Couldn't pass up that deal.