Yeah I love SAE's I used to have a planted tank that was algae'd to hell, thrw in 2 SAE's and they cleared the tank in 4 days. Plus they would eat the Omega One flakes I would feed my fish.
Finally got my 55 gallon transfered to planted.
- Thread starter MySpace Mike
- Start date
Well I'm going with the 4 bulb version because I will be doing lots of highlight plants that need alot of lighting, such as a few Cabomba Plants, Amazon Swords, etc....
From what I know, you should run 2-3 watts of lighting per gallon, so since my tank is 55 gallons I need between 110-165 watts of lighting. Since the 4 bulb version is 120 watts of lighting I should be set right in between what I need for the tank.
Plus the excess levels of lighting should produce some algae in the tank for the snails, SAE's, and Rubberlip Pleco.
From what I know, you should run 2-3 watts of lighting per gallon, so since my tank is 55 gallons I need between 110-165 watts of lighting. Since the 4 bulb version is 120 watts of lighting I should be set right in between what I need for the tank.
Plus the excess levels of lighting should produce some algae in the tank for the snails, SAE's, and Rubberlip Pleco.
So far my Amazon Swords are doing really well, they already started to grow new leafs and are expanding. Cant wait to get my Nova Extreme 48" t5 4 bulb system so I can get some good high lighting plants like Cabomba and Brazilian Micro Sword Grass.
Your tank is not planted any where near as heavily as needed for the light you are buying. You should have spent the light money on plants and just filled that 55g with plants. I mean fill it. You're gonna have an algae farm with that light and your small few plants.
I will only be using 1-2 bulbs until the tank is fully planted, I'm not a newbie to the aquarium world, I'm on my 19th year of being in the hobby. I know the lighting is excessive, but I would rather spend the money for the lighting now, and have it when I need it down the line. It's kinda of like doing armed security, a gun on the side is better than a cop on the phone when something happens, ya know. I'd rather have it and be able to use the 4 bulb system when I finally need, then to need it and not have it.
I plan on upgrading to a bigger tank this summer, and will definitely need the lighting.
I plan on upgrading to a bigger tank this summer, and will definitely need the lighting.
Decided to step down to the double Nova Extreme t5 HO system at 108 watts, will cut down on the lighting and the cost if=s more effective to my budget 
Did some more tank arranging, adding in a couple large river rocks which ill string with Moss. Also added in a greek wall type fixture and replanted a large amazon sword through it. Looks great just waiting for the water to clear back up and I'll take a couple new pics of the tank. Also resized my background of a planted system behind the tank, and used a water sprayer to help stick it to the tank, used a credit card to slide the bubbles out of it. Looks really awesome.
