Hey I have a 40 gal discus tank, and my cheap petco lighting fixture just burnt out, I figured if im going to buy a new fixture, I might as well do it right, so what lighting do you guys think is the best. I was looking into the nova 2X39 Watt fixture. Im looking to spend less than 100 bucks
Best Lighting for a planted tank
- Thread starter keydiver
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No matter what I would recommend T5s. Just how many watts is going to depend on if you are using co2...
No im not using C02 as of now, and if I did, it would just be one of the simple yeast-sugar reaction systems with a cheap diffusion pump, i dont have the funds to set up a full fledged co2 system. The plants I have now are low light, but I want to add swords and some kind of ground cover, so I would like the option to have high light plants. Right now My plant stock is java fern, anubias nana, a couple wendtii crypts, and some java moss.
what is the height of this 40g? is it a 40 breeder?
if so, High Output lighting is probably going to be too much without pressurized C02 in a tank that shallow.
I am using 2x39w HO lighting on my 65g tall, and yes, the plants grow like hell, but until I got the right balance I battled algae like crazy.
if so, High Output lighting is probably going to be too much without pressurized C02 in a tank that shallow.
I am using 2x39w HO lighting on my 65g tall, and yes, the plants grow like hell, but until I got the right balance I battled algae like crazy.
its 20 inches high, im not sure whether its a 40 or 40B. The fixture would also be a couple inches off the tank on legs, so I'm not sure whether or not it would work, I guess I need some opinions on the topic. It's a 2x39 watt fixture. I'd be using RODI water so no phosphates whatsoever, and I don't know whether or not to use liquid fert, or to use the substrate fert that goes under your gravel
the under gravel ferts generally have phosphates. the liquid ones generally dont. The plants you have dont really need alot of ferts.
I would stick with Dual T-8 lights for a tank that size.You could always only put one bulb in until such time as you need the other. T-5 lighting is expensive and not needed.
I would stick with Dual T-8 lights for a tank that size.You could always only put one bulb in until such time as you need the other. T-5 lighting is expensive and not needed.