Need 24" lighting for 29 gallons

fgump

fgump

AC Members
May 17, 2007
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Utah
I'm in need of a 24" light for a 29 gallon bowfront freshwater tank, that I plan on adding live plants to.

How much light is needed? I've found 65 watt and 130 watt (2x65w) lights that will fit my tank. Is 65 watts enough, or should I go for the 130 watts? I don't plan on being heavily planted. And I don't care, or want really, fast growth.

I've found a couple lights that I'm thinking of getting. If you have links to anything better, please let me know.

Here's my first choice. But it's a 10,000°K, which I believe is mainly for saltwater?
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=11418&N=2004+113345

Here's my 2nd choice. It's dual 65 watts (with 2 power cords/switches). And it comes in a freshwater version (6,700°K). But it's more expensive than any of the others.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13733&N=2004+113345

Others that I've found, but aren't my top choices.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13637&N=2004+113345
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12109&N=2004+113345

So which of those should I get? Or is there anything that would be better?
 
If you're not worried about super fast growth, or injecting co2 or dosing ferts, the 65w will be plenty. You can grow plants pretty well under about 2wpg with not much work put in, and its not too much light that you'll have algae issues.

If you're relatively handy, I would highly recommend a retrofit kit from AHsupply.com, and build/retrofit a hood for the tank.
 
I doubt I'll go with the AHsupply.com retro-fit kit, I don't have a hood. I have a glass cover with a light strip on top of that (single 18w). The "1 x 55 watt Bright Kit" would probably fit my current light strip. But it doesn't contain a bulb. And for $20.00 more than that (the price of a bulb), I can get a new light strip that's 10 watts more, and contains the bulb (the first link above).

And I don't have anything against CO2 or ferts. I'm actually thinking of getting the Hagen CO2 System and some root tabs and/or ferts. I just don't want to end up with an underwater jungle.
 
Actually I can't go with a AHsupply.com retro-fit kit. I just measured my current light strip, and it's not wide enough for any of their kits.
 
that fixture is fine. 65watt 6700
just order the FW light

I am going with ah supply and build my own can'o pea;)
 
Thats the same fixture I was looking to get for my 45 gallon, one the shops by me highly recommended it, he was using one above the 3 tanks he keeps plants for sale in.
 
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