Need help with lighting, please :)

[TabisFish]

I have a 55 gallon with two 24" hoods with only one light fixture in each. I have one aqua glo 18" 15 watt bulb, and another just normal white one i think :/ I just need help! Because the aqua-glo bulb isn't very bright at all. We're rebuilding our hoods soon, so help me figure out what to get thanks !:dance2:

 

[koldsoup]

What kinda plants do you have?

 

[TabisFish]

Oh gosh, Let me just post pictures

 

[TabisFish]

Pictures

 

[dbosman]

The two hoods you have can be sold to someone with 12" x 24" tanks.
The next bit depends on your DIY skills or cash.
A single T5HO bulb/tube/lamp near the surface of a 55 is high light. Four inches up, it's moderate light.
You can, if you are a DIY family, purchase a decent T5HO strip light at your local hydroponics shop for about $30.00. A very good reflector would be $20.00 at the same shop.

 

[dundadundun]

for building a hood...
"2 x 55 watt Bright Kit™"... http://www.ahsupply.com/36-55w.htm

otherwise...

http://fishneedit.com/t5ho-4ft--2lamp-aquarium-light.html
or...
48" x 5-1/2" Freshwater; 108 watt, CD-29700
$157.99

... http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=16770
or...
http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=1638 (get ahold of these guys and let them know what you want and they'll take care of it)

 

[jasonG75]

or if you can find it a dual T5NO would work.

 

[coach_z]

Refer here when thinking about upgrading lights and bulbs and stuff.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/lighting/105774-par-vs-distance-t5-t12-pc.html

 

[btimmer30]

whatever you get, don't get more normal fluorescent. you should think about power compact fluorescent. get 6700k bulbs. 2x96w bulbs should do, or whatever length bulb fits a 55g light fixture

 

[TheFishBoss97]

nova extreme t5HO 2X54

http://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Fresh...5?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1299703900&sr=1-5

only $105

pretty good deal