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Hello!

I already have 2 24" hoods/lights that came w/ my tank, but the lights are very insufficient.

I was wondering what my best (and cheapest!!) bet would be for lighting for a planted tank. I'm not going for any high light plants, just low to medium. (I haven't gotten plants yet.)

I was thinking on replacing my hoods w/ 2 glass ones, and a 48" light. I don't have a canopy to install lights in, but that is also an option.

I have seen the 24"/48" compact lights and also the regular triple 48" ones...which would be better?

And I am really confused about all the types of lighting! :%) I just want my plants to grow, and my fish to be happy! I'm just getting overwelmed with information, and I'm trying not to spend a lot of money on high end stuff that I don't need. (I'm very new to this, haha.)

Thank you!
Christina

how big is your tank in gallons?

for low to medium light plants, such as crypts and anubias. you will only need 1-2watts per gallon.
like my tank which is 40ish uk gallons i have 2 30" 25W tubes, this gives me 1.25wpg, and my plants grow really well, see picture link below.





www.blooming-brilliant.co.uk

Oops! I have a 55 gallon freshwater tank.

so for a 55g tank i would get at least 2 40W tubes that would give you 1.6wpg which is plenty for low light plants.
i have these plants in my tank, doing very well with my low light. the lights i have 1.25 wpg from sun-glo 30" 25W tube and a life-glo 30" 25W 6700K tube

Java fern (Microsorium pteropus) on bogwood
Amazon sword (enchinochorus amozonicus) not doing so well as others, but still growing
Vallisneria americana (gigantea)
Dwarf Anubias on rocks (Anubias barteri var. nana)
Spathiphyllum
Cryptocoryne beckettii
Cryptocoryne beckettii (petchii)
Ludwigia repens "rubin"



[span class="edited"][Edited by shekoi 2004-08-06 10:00][/span]

[span class="edited"][Edited by shekoi 2004-08-06 10:03][/span]

www.blooming-brilliant.co.uk

Hi Christina,
Before we could suggest specific plants, you will need
to make a decision at to the lighting for your 55G tank.
Go with what is comfortable for you to spend.

If you use a two bulb flourscent hood, I would recommend
that you purchase a "shoplight" from Home Depot, Lowes,
or some similiar hardware store. At the same time
purchase any two bulbs that are labeled SUNLIGHT, or
DAYLIGHT for them. You will need a piece of glass to
cover the tank and keep the condensation and moisture
from splashing out of the assembly.

Compact flourscents are a great way to meet the light
demands of the medium and high plant groupings. They
can be pricey however.

A canopy equipped with the T-5 flourscent tubes are
also a good way to provide for the medium and high
demand plants. They too can be pricey.


Keep in mind that as you go "up" in low, medium, or high
light, plant groups, your expenses will go up to include
fertilizers, and perhaps gravel additives.

The least expensive, and least maintenance intensive
grouping is the low demand plant group. These will
thrive in an aquarium with 1-1.5 watts/gallon with
the just the nutrients provided the bacterial colonies
fed by the fish waste, any excess fish food, and any
dying plant material.

If you move into the higher demand plants,then they
soon outstrip the naturally occuring nutrients within
the tank, and you have to start adding ferts to make
up the difference, including the possible addition of
CO2.

For plants in the three specific groupings check out
these sites:

http://www.azgardens.com/
http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/
http://www.tropica.com/default.asp

Hope this helps some...

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

OK, I just ordered a...

48" Coralife Aqualight Deluxe Series - Single Linear Strip with Two-65 watt 6,700L Compact fluorescent lamps -Straight Pin base

Anyone have experience with these? From what I read, it seemed like a good idea.

[span class="edited"][Edited by crickit99 2004-08-06 14:18][/span]