starting a 55g, need lighting
- Thread starter fresh_fish
- Start date
DAVIDFBT
Extinct? Since when?
No, T8s. Cheaper but just as effective. I looked at the T12 fixtures and decided to go with the T8s. Just as much visible light, less power usage and the bulbs were less expensive.
I can try and get you some pictures tomorrow, I am at work tonight. A brief description though, it's a black chrome fixture, so it's pleasing to look at. Has a standard 3 prong plug for a 115v household outlet. You can either hang it from the ceiling or simply lay it across the tank with something to hold it up a few inches. Only downside to doing it the way I am is that the light needs to be removed for cleaning the tank (which makes it more difficult to see what you are doing) however I use a Maglite to combat this issue, and it works well for me. The fixture is very light and I can take it down one handed. Oh, and it has a pullchain on one side to turn it on and off manually, but I use a plug-in timer to control it. Hope that helps.
Really though, I wouldn't spend more then $40-50 to light a 55, 70, or 90G (48 inch) tank.
i am pretty set on 6.5k lights and around 2wpg which is difficult to do with what i saw at the HW store. the old hood was a shop light with two added sockets sitting on wooden endpieces. i think this time around i am willing to pay for the convenience of a light i can just swivel up for easy access.
Is there a reason you need 6500k? My planted 55g (java fern, wisperia, amazon swords, crypts, swordtail grass) does just fine on 64w of 5000k light. Growing like weeds. As far as WPG, as long as your plants are doing well, there is no specific requirement that I am aware of. I have 1.16 WPG in my planted tank and it's just fine. The only thing I can't seem to grow are red plants, which need just silly amounts of light to flourish. So much so that algae becomes a real issue for me. I have a fixture capable of putting out 3.5 WPG, but everytime I try to use it I end up with algae within 6 months. Even with a timer. Food for thought anyway.
Well, if your mind is made up, there are plenty of options out there for pre-made aquarium fixtures.
i am trying to hit that sweet spot where algae is manageable with a good selection of low and mid light plants. i may consider dosing with Flourish if necessary. also surprised to hear that plants grow like weeds with 1.16 WPG.
