55 gallon plant ideas

[dismantle me]

A couple of days ago I got a 55 gallon tank. I'm going to put angelfish in it and maybe a pleco. Anyways I want some ideas on plants. I was thinking about getting 3 Amazon Swords, some Java Moss, 4 Java Ferns, and micro swords for the foreground. The lighting is 2 15 watt flourecent (sp?) lights. Thanks.

 

[Leopardess]

Well, 30 watts on a 55g tank isn't going to do much for most plants, which is why most people upgrade their lighting.

The microsword won't work (as it generally needs higher light and CO2 - as with most carpet plants) and neither will the swords. Swords and L. brasiliensis (the microsword) also require a nutrient rich substrate to grow properly, such as Profile or Flourite or something of that nature.

Java fern might grow alright, as well as the java moss. You could probably have some anubias species. Anachris/najas may grow.

To seriously plant the tank, you will probably need to upgrade your lighting to about 2 watts per gallon. I would suggest www.ahsupply.com for PC lights. I run 4 X 48" (40w/ea.) flourescent bulbs over my 55g...wasn't too expensive, either.

 

[dismantle me]

Thanks for the help. I'll get two 60 watt bulbs. Is that enough?

 

[djlen]

Leopardess is absolutely correct on her recommendations.
I have two 55s....one with 110watts/PC over it,and I consider it a low/med. range tank. Mainly because of the depth(top to bottom).
In your reply, you mention two 60 watt bulbs. What kind of lighting are you talking about?

Len

 

[Robert H]

You need to understand it a little more...

You can't just get any wattage bulb to work. The fixture or fixtures you have now are made for 15 watt flourescents. You can not put anything higher wattage into that same fixture. To use a higher watt FLOURESCENT you would need a new fixture.

There is no 60 watt flourescent fixture to my knowledge. If you are talking about a regular 60 watt incadescent bulb, that will not work either. Incadescent bulbs are about 5 times WEAKER than a flourescent.

On a 55 gallon tank you need at least 110 watts of Flourescent light total. AH supply sellls these kits that use 55 watt compact flourescents, you would need at least TWO. That would give you 2 watts of flourescent light per gallon of water. Follow?

 

[dismantle me]

So I need to get new fixtures and bulbs. Is that it? After I get that set up, what kind of plants do you think I should get?

 

[djlen]

When considering lighting, you should think about how much work you want to put into the tank. The more light, the more attention it will need.
In your case 110w/PC(power compact) would give you, what I consider to be, a low/medium light situation.
You would be able to grow many types of plants, but would have a difficult time growing most plants that are red, and some ground cover/grass type plants(small, foreground plants).
55s are 18" deep which makes light penetration an issue.
AH's 2X55 watt PC would be an excellent choice for you to start off with.
Here's a link:
http://www.ahsupply.com/
Click on the 55 watt kits and you'll get an idea of what's available, and costs.
Assuming that you have the typical dual hood set up that comes with many 55s, you would 'retro-fit' them with the kit that comes from AH.

Len

 

[Torf]

It is possible to retrofit a 'cheap' tank hood to fit enough light for a planted tank. I had two hoods that I refitted in the following manner:

0. Unplugged unit!
1. Removed the flourescent fixture from the hood and built in ballast and reclector
2. Snipped the wire running from the AC inlet and a wire at the switch
3. Drilled holes for light sockets in the ends of the hood
4. Drilled hole in the center of the hood for a double ended light socket
5. Wired up all the light sockets IN PARALLEL
6. Tightened all the sockets in their places
7. Secured Aluminum foil in place as reflectors
8. Installed 4 13w CF spiral lights (I found good 6500k bulbs at servicelighting.com IIRC)

I did two hoods the same way. The results are very good, and look nice to boot! I may post pictures in the DIY thread once I take a few.

The basic result is like this:

--------------
|=O O==O O=|
--------------

4x13 watts = 52 watts per hood instead of 15.

I have two of these over a ~50 gallon, and it behaves like a good med-high light tank.

edited to get the ASCII image formatted right!

 

[djlen]

Are the bulbs, screw-in PCs? If so, it sounds like a good unit.
One suggestion. Lose the foil, pull the the fixtures, and paint the insides of the boxes with flat white paint. It is a far better reflective material than foil. I have heard estimates of up to 30%.
Re- install fixtures and you should see a brighter tank. I know your plants will appreciate it.

Len

 

[Torf]

Yes, they are screw in PC lights.

Thanks for the suggestion on the white paint! I'll give that a try when I get time! I would also like to add a small fan to the unit as well to help with venilation. Projects projects...