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I have a 44 Gallon pentagon shaped, tall tank. I have a healthy fish community but the only live plants that thrive, due to low lighting, are banana plants and java ferns. I'd like to graduate to at least medium light plants. from reading a few posts, including Frank's, I think my first step is to get better lighting. My hood allows for 2, 18" lights bought from the lfs - but each is only 15 watts. Searching the internet, all I've been able to find for 18" are the 15 watt lights. With 44 gallons, I think I want to get 80-100 watts (40-50 watts per light). Where can I find such beasts? Thanks.

How much space do you have for the light?

One of your better options would be Power Compact lights.

Look into something like this. It is what most of us plant guys use.
https://www82.safesecureweb.com/webaquatics/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=CL53112&Category_Code=CAFCFF

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Hi,
If your light is separate from the tank cover, then Wings
solution would be ideal. If you are "stuck" with the
current light fixture, you might try changing up in
the temperature (K) rating of the bulb to one of the
Coral Sun that runs around 10,000K. That "might" give you
more light penetrating down to the substrate.

Personally, I'd get a glass cover for the tank (2 or 3
sections) and put one of the compact fluorescents on it.
Frank


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