29 gallon light suggestions

[FixxYurFace]

Fairly new to better part of this but I am setting up my 29 gallon tank to house my rcs, albino bn plecos and a bunch of plants and moss. I have no lighting for this and was hoping someone could point me in the right direction. No ideas as to what lighting would be best for all. Wanna keep the price relatively cheap but will spend whats needed.

 

[NoMoreToys]

Good lighting is expensive. I bought a 36" Solarmax (not promoting the product) for $95. You get what you pay for. If you want good healthy plants you need good lights. Checkout on-line and then the LFS. I finally found a LFS that I actually like driving to. Good informative people and they actually answer e-mail questions!

 

[iheartbettas]

i have a 29 gallon high, and have the 20 dollar glass canopy. I also went to big als online and got the t-5 Normal output dual linear lights for freshwater. they were about 50 dollars when i bought them. just note that the bulbs aren't cheap. probably around 15 dollars each (either online or at LFS) so 30 dollars when they either burn out or they need replacing. Not sure about t-5 High output lights.

 

[oo7genie]

What kind of plants are you planning to grow?

 

[FixxYurFace]

Thank you all for the help on this. Understandably so, that you hafta spend the money for a good product. Currently I have a bunch of random plant pieces scattered thru my 10 gallons. Just getting around for work right now but when I get home I will try and post some pics so maybe someone out their can identify them for me. I know for a fact I have a bunch of moss (xmas moss I think), water lettuce, moss balls, but the rest is a mystery. Expect pics in 8-9 hours, sorry for delay.

 

[londonloco]

I have 3 of these fixtures, this one on my 29g:

http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=71_136&products_id=1413

That price includes bulbs but switch the actinic out for a plant light (pink). You can get them to add a switch giving you lighting options. That light, soil capped w/whatever, and dose, you can grow almost anything.

 

[jetajockey]

I'd go with a single 24" t5ho. Or a dual t5ho if you plan to run pressurized co2 or can hang the light higher up off the tank.


Not the best fixture ever, not the best reflectors ever, and definitely not the best hardware, but they get the job done and for cheap.

http://cgi.ebay.com/24-T5-HO-Aquari...625?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c4f74071

40 dollars shipped...kablam.

(people will say you get what you pay for, and this is very true, but these fixtures have a decent track record, and at less than half the cost of other comparable ones, it's hard to say no)

Also with this fixture you may actually have too much light going on, so prepare to cut back on your photoperiod or compensate with ferts/co2, or raise the fixture off the tank a bit.

 

[Star_Rider]

you can also check out
http://www.fishneedit.com/t5ho-ligh.html
I recently purchased a 24" fixture 2 t-5ho I plan on running 2 on my 75 gallon and regulate the light(discus tank) I keep one side of the tank dark for a few hours longer..they have single reflectors for the bulbs and the ballast is remote(not in the light housing) so the housings are light wt.

 

[londonloco]

I'd go with a single 24" t5ho. Or a dual t5ho if you plan to run pressurized co2 or can hang the light higher up off the tank.


Not the best fixture ever, not the best reflectors ever, and definitely not the best hardware, but they get the job done and for cheap.

http://cgi.ebay.com/24-T5-HO-Aquari...625?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c4f74071

40 dollars shipped...kablam.

(people will say you get what you pay for, and this is very true, but these fixtures have a decent track record, and at less than half the cost of other comparable ones, it's hard to say no)

Also with this fixture you may actually have too much light going on, so prepare to cut back on your photoperiod or compensate with ferts/co2, or raise the fixture off the tank a bit.

I also thought it might be too much light, why I made sure each bulb had it's own switch and had them include hanging brackets. I found 1 light was not enough light, and ended up buying legs for the fixture. I ran one light 8 hours a day, the second light is on 3 hours for a mid day burst, and the lights are 3" from the water. I had no algae, but did dose PPS Pro and Excel daily.

I recently broke down the tank (going pfs/rocks to keep Neolamprologus Caudopunctatus ), below is a pic while it was used as a Q tank for my Rainbow tank).

 

[Fyurae]

Grow lights from Walmart. They're like, 18 bucks. I have one on my tank to supplement the crappy hood, and my friend has two on her 40g and grows plants like weeds.