Which upgrade to make first?

[crudnugget]

I have a 55 gallon tank. Lightly planted, just a few crypts, anubias, water sprite, and anachris. It's lightly stocked as well. 9 Harlequins, 5 Hexazon Barbs, 1 Blue Ram, 3 corys, 1 BN Pleco.

I'm currently using a shop light from Home Depot for about 80 watts, and my filters I'm using are Aquaclear HOB's, I have a 110 and a 50 on it. I'm not using any co2 at the moment, eventually I'd like to setup a large DIY setup.

What would you buy first: an Eheim 2217 canister filter to replace both HOBs, or a 96 watt light kit from AHSupply.com

I am kind of fed up with the poor lighting my plants get from the shop light, but at the same time I'd like to replace the HOBs and get the canister so I can get DIY co2 setup sooner rather than later.

Eventually I'll get both upgrades, just can't decide on what to do first. Can't afford both of 'em now :wall:

 

[Bk718]

I would get the light first, but higher wattage so you can grow a larger variety of plants

 

[J double R]

I'd go with the canister and CO2.. that will yield more positive results than a lighting upgrade alone... then do the lights after that is all set up.

 

[Fishfiles1]

filter better, its always better to have a clean tank than a good looking tank

 

[Derringer]

I voted canister, but I wouldnt replace your HOBs with just 1 canister ... keep the HOBs running with the canister OR get two canisters then you could maybe remove the HOBs.

 

[Easydoesit]

i voted lighting since you dont have a heavy bioload in your tank and your filtration seems sufficient for the light bioload that you have. id just get lighting first and set up a 2liter bottle or 2 of DIY co2 for now and diffuse it however you can with the HOBs until you get your canister.

 

[Rbishop]

Filtration.

 

[Squawkbert]

I'd add the Eheim first - and leave the HOBs on for a month.

Then I'd add lighting and CO2 together (2x 65W PCs or a couple of 54W T5s).