Advice needed on lights please

[Foundas]

Hey guys

i have the following problem and i'd like your expert advice

tank dimensions: 40"L , 16"W, 22"H approximately 55Gallons

the tank came with a "light-glo" cannopy with 2 x 30W preinstalled fluorocent tubes.
i removed the above tubes and installed 2 x 55W PC fluoros (straight pin allignment). One at the back left and one at the front right. These bulbs are 22" long and as a result, there are some dark spots in the tank (back and front corners) where the light can't reach
i have installed reflectors too, but with no significant change.
ordering online cannopy/hood sets is out of the question due to high shipping costs.


from what i understand, this is not a good setup for the plants in the back corners.

i have in mind these options and i'd like your feedback and any new ideas
a. leave it as it is
b. build a new hood and install 3 x 55W PC fluoros (one at the left back, one in the middle and one in the right front) resulting in a total of 165W of light but might leave darker places;again.
c. install opposite of the 55W bulbs, 2 more bulbs rated between 25-30W to cover the whole lenght of the aquarium. This will result in 160W - 170W of light

pleace advice.


cheers

 

[happychem]

A 55g tank is pretty narrow, so it's surprising to hear that you're actually observing a front-back phenomenon.

If you're into building another hood then stagerring the pc lights would be a good idea:
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Something like that. (doing my best to draw ASCII U-tubes)

Or else, what I would probably do (for money saving) is to try to work in the 2x30W that came with the tank. Between the 2x30w NO and the 2x55w PC you've got tons of light available, you just need to find an arrangement that fits and spreads the light out.