I would like to here from the board about what do you think is the best lamps for my 55 gallon tank. Tank is 48"x13"x20". I have 2- T8 10,000 k lamps with a reflector now. What would everybody recommend for this planted and fish tank. I have quite a few plants and no c02 at this time. C02 in about 2 weeks.
best light for 55 gallon tank
- Thread starter muskieswen
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I have 2 55's but wouldn't make a recommendation without knowing what you want from the tank.
What do you want to grow, and how much work are you willing to put into it? In other words, do you want a high light tank or low light tank?
Len
What do you want to grow, and how much work are you willing to put into it? In other words, do you want a high light tank or low light tank?
Len
I have some crypts, sagitaria,red luwigia,bacopoa,rossete swords, amozon swords, anacrians,valls, things like that. I am looking for good growth, bright colors and just plain healthy plants. I do not no what a low light or high light tank is, sorry. As far as work goes, it is my hobby so I guess whatever it takes. Every day I introduce some iron and I change part of my water every week so I am involved already. I hope this helps, if not drill me with questions and hopefully I can answer them.
I would say 120-160 watts should be plenty...standard shop fixtures will easily fill your bill and are dirt cheap. I did my canopy and 160 watts of light on my 55 for under 70 bucks.
Jeffro is correct. I have a 55 with two 48" shop lights over it(160 watts - 6700K) and the plants are doing very well. It also has 75lbs. of Flourite/Profile mix for substrate and is CO2 injected. These help a great deal and should be considered for a planted tank.
The other 55 has been retro-fitted with a 2x55 watt bright kit(110 CF). To my eye, they give off very comparable lighting.
This tank is similar to the one above in substrate(100% Flourite and injected CO2).
All the plants you mention in your tank, I have or have had at one time or other, and have been successful with under the described light.
If you are cash flow challenged(to coin a phrase) and don't care about the look, I would go with the shop light setup.
If you are in the bucks and will be injecting and willing to fertilize regularly and keep after the tank until you learn it's idiosyncrasies
you can certainly go with 3 or 4 watts/gal. CF (4 watts is IMO high light).
The shop lights are adequate and do a nice job, but limiting because of space. With the CF, the sky is the limit.
Check www.ahsupply.com for ideas on retro-fitting. They also have a nice section on making your own enclosures for their lighting at dirt cheap rates.
Hope this helps rather than confuses you.
Len
The other 55 has been retro-fitted with a 2x55 watt bright kit(110 CF). To my eye, they give off very comparable lighting.
This tank is similar to the one above in substrate(100% Flourite and injected CO2).
All the plants you mention in your tank, I have or have had at one time or other, and have been successful with under the described light.
If you are cash flow challenged(to coin a phrase) and don't care about the look, I would go with the shop light setup.
If you are in the bucks and will be injecting and willing to fertilize regularly and keep after the tank until you learn it's idiosyncrasies
you can certainly go with 3 or 4 watts/gal. CF (4 watts is IMO high light).
The shop lights are adequate and do a nice job, but limiting because of space. With the CF, the sky is the limit.
Check www.ahsupply.com for ideas on retro-fitting. They also have a nice section on making your own enclosures for their lighting at dirt cheap rates.
Hope this helps rather than confuses you.
Len
Len,
(Sorry to hijack the thread but have a pertinent question).
I'm setting up a 55 now as well, and purchased 30lbs of Profile. I noticed you have 75 lbs, do I need to add more (added depth for plants or personal preference)? What did you use for the flourite, is there a brand name you prefer? Also last question, what ratio did you use on mixing the Flourite/profile?
Thanks (sorry for so many questions, but I'm committed to doing this right)
-Vicious
(Sorry to hijack the thread but have a pertinent question).
I'm setting up a 55 now as well, and purchased 30lbs of Profile. I noticed you have 75 lbs, do I need to add more (added depth for plants or personal preference)? What did you use for the flourite, is there a brand name you prefer? Also last question, what ratio did you use on mixing the Flourite/profile?
Thanks (sorry for so many questions, but I'm committed to doing this right)
-Vicious
I like a deep substrate, especially in the back of the tank where the larger plants will be planted and need more room for roots.
I slope the gravel from approx. 5" in the rear down to 2" in front. To me it adds depth(front to back) when sloped like that.
I would use at least 1lb. per gallon. I think 60 - 40 is a good mix of Profile and Flourite, with the 60 being the Flourite.
When I refer to Flourite I'm talking about 'SeaChem Flourite'.
Before you add any substrate, pick up a small bag of plain old peat moss and sprinkle a thin layer(like a dusting) over the bottom of the tank. Then about an inch of your Profile/Flourish mix.
Then if you have access to the filter sponges of an established tank, take a gallon of water out of the established tank, and squeeze the mulm out of the sponges into that water and then pure that concoction over the bottom of your new tank. Then add the rest of your substrate over that, before filling with water.
This will aid greatly in establishing a bacteria colony in your tank.
Len
I slope the gravel from approx. 5" in the rear down to 2" in front. To me it adds depth(front to back) when sloped like that.
I would use at least 1lb. per gallon. I think 60 - 40 is a good mix of Profile and Flourite, with the 60 being the Flourite.
When I refer to Flourite I'm talking about 'SeaChem Flourite'.
Before you add any substrate, pick up a small bag of plain old peat moss and sprinkle a thin layer(like a dusting) over the bottom of the tank. Then about an inch of your Profile/Flourish mix.
Then if you have access to the filter sponges of an established tank, take a gallon of water out of the established tank, and squeeze the mulm out of the sponges into that water and then pure that concoction over the bottom of your new tank. Then add the rest of your substrate over that, before filling with water.
This will aid greatly in establishing a bacteria colony in your tank.
Len