I have a 55g freshwater semi-planted aquarium that will be heavily planted soon as i can. The aquarium is 48inch long and 18 inch deep(less than that for plants with the substrate) and at the moment i only have 1 light which is way too low of wattage. The lighting is a 48inch fluror single hood and the bulb is a (GLO)Aqua-Glo t8 38''/91cm with 30w, which is wayyy less than i want. I would like to get a new bulb or probably have to get a new hood(it rests under the canopy),upgrading to at least 2w per gallon if not a little more.
So i have a couple questions. Is there a good source of lighting anyone would recommend or should i just look around at local shops? Cheaper pricing is obviously nicer but i can save some money to get something a little nicer if i need to. The other questions being about the light cycle. What would be the best times to have the light on? During the day the tank recieves a bit of natural sunlight because its in my room which is the corner of upstairs where i get all sorts of sun and the window blinds are not down all day. There can be natural sunlight from 6am or so until 6 or 7pm but has not been getting that much. When should the lights be on to go around that, or i could have the window blocked out more and the lights on to fill that space.
Any comments/info is very much appreciated, if theres more info decided to help make a decision, let me know and i can provide what i am missing. I have been doing all sorts of research on fish and various other aquarium inhabitants and having spent much time on lighting for whatever reason, i just get real excited about aquatics, and now looking for some help to make sure i do right by my fish/plants.
So i have a couple questions. Is there a good source of lighting anyone would recommend or should i just look around at local shops? Cheaper pricing is obviously nicer but i can save some money to get something a little nicer if i need to. The other questions being about the light cycle. What would be the best times to have the light on? During the day the tank recieves a bit of natural sunlight because its in my room which is the corner of upstairs where i get all sorts of sun and the window blinds are not down all day. There can be natural sunlight from 6am or so until 6 or 7pm but has not been getting that much. When should the lights be on to go around that, or i could have the window blocked out more and the lights on to fill that space.
Any comments/info is very much appreciated, if theres more info decided to help make a decision, let me know and i can provide what i am missing. I have been doing all sorts of research on fish and various other aquarium inhabitants and having spent much time on lighting for whatever reason, i just get real excited about aquatics, and now looking for some help to make sure i do right by my fish/plants.
