Best lighting setup and why - planted/fish

[wrc1045]

Hello

After looking all over the net for a new light setup. What would you people go with and why? I would light to have a setup usable for freshwater (planted and with fish) for my 75 gallon. I want an all glass top (whats the best way to totally cover the water - around the filters, wires and such?) I would like it as sealed as possible. What lighting and what are the advantages of each model/brand and why? What bulbs and why? Some have fans - are they noisy, the ones at the lfs are definately audible. I sometimes think my eheims are a little noisy, they are not - it's just me being too darn picky. I like the Current lighting I saw at the lfs. I am concerned about what is best for the tank, a reliable, well constructed light with low maintenance. I have noticed some models sit on the glass, some need to hang and some have legs that stand the light above the glass. There are other options, lighitng controllers, moonlights, bulb and wattage size. I know that this has been asked a bunch on here. But you always get different answers and opinions.

Thanks for the input

 

[Mgamer20o0]

well i think it depends on what you want to do and how much you want to spend. CF lighting is a great idea. lots of light in a small space. every says ahsupply.com has the best reflectors for CF lighting. if you want a cheaper way you can get shop lights with t8 bulbs. you will just need to get more of them depending on your set up. i started with t8 bulbs. wanted to make sure i really wanted plants. i moved to a t8 CF combo on my main tank and CF on my other tanks.

 

[loaches r cool]

That is a question not easy to answer. Whats your budget? Can you DIY? Are you wanting to do a high end tank full of plants with co2 injection and daily fertilization? Or do you just want to have a few easy plants in there?

Right off the bat I'd say if you think your Eheims are loud you are probably going to not like a fixture with a fan, most are loud. Perhaps a T5 Tek light (no fans).

 

[Hound]

I have to agree that your lighting requirements will vary depending upon what sort of plants you are keeping and also depend upon if you want to have a pressurized co2 system or not. Also I don't believe having the top of an aquarium completly covered is a good idea. You do need to have some gas exchange going on in there. If you want quiet lighting you can probably just go with a 4 bulb flourescent fixture with an electronic ballast. That should be adequate for the low to medium light plants and not require too much maintainence. Going beyond that I would consider ahsupply.com and going with something like a 4x55 watt fixture in a diy canopy. With that much lighting and above you will most likely need pressurized co2 and you will also need to fertilize much more often.