how do i do a low lighted planted

Go to Walmart and buy a 48 inch shoplight that has space for 2 bulbs on it. That will give you 80 watts over 55 gallons and that is about 1.5 wpg. This would be under $40.

And also, get 5 more Neons. they like being in a group of at least 6. And get a 175 gallon tank for the clown loaches after they grow up.
 
Shop light OK if money is a factor. No reflector on those so light does not reach the tank as efficiently as strip lights that are designed for aquariums. They are ugly too, but you will be able to grow low light plants.
 
Do not forget to get two "daylight" bulbs (6700k). They have them at Home Depot in 48" lengths. These are perfect for your tank and cheap too..
 
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Agree with the shop lights (w 6700k bulbs). I hung a shelf about 2 feet above my tank, sprayed the outside of the fixture black and hung from the shelf with black chains. Made acces to the tank easy.
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I have a question about lighting so im going to use this thread since there is a lot of good info posted already.

I have a dual light strip fixture over my 72 right now and it came with a 40watt 48 inch tube and another tube which is a purplish color and is only 30ish watts (I think, markings are kind of worn off).

What is the purpose of the purple color tube and should I replace it with a normal 6700k bulb? The only live plants I have at the moment are java fern which arent looking too hot. Ill throw up a picture of it on here when I get home tonight for reference.
 
cant edit that top post, but here is a pic of my lights and a pic of my sad java fern


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The life glo is a great bulb, I'd add a Sun-glo from the same product line to supplement it well. I run all Hagen bulbs in my setup, but I can't find any local T8 Life Glo's, only the older T10's that you have there.
 
mavisky said:
The life glo is a great bulb, I'd add a Sun-glo from the same product line to supplement it well. I run all Hagen bulbs in my setup, but I can't find any local T8 Life Glo's, only the older T10's that you have there.
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what's the difference between t8 and t10? Should i get the sun Glo bulb to replace the purple one?
 
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