So I am new to planted tanks and have no idea where to go from here. I currently have power compacts on the tank and the plants are growing fine but they are all lower light plants. I am looking to go with more medium to high light requiring plants. I want to switch over to LED but I'm not sure if I can go with Marineland Double Brights, Reef Capable or is there a cheaper brand that I can go with. I have been looking at these: http://www.aquatraders.com/LED-Reef-Bright-p/56215.htm and several other units. My main thing is that I am not trying to break the bank in getting a new set up. I am thinking that I want to spend around $250 at the most. Well, it's mainly my wife who doesn't want to spend more that $250. Any idea's?
Lighting a 55 planted tank
- Thread starter lil_pendejo
- Start date
1st off, remember when you move up to more demading plants possibly more things are needed.
Are you wanting a Med low maintaince setup, or are you going HI Tech?, since you mentioned not breaking the bank I am assuming not.
Stay away from LED's, unless DIYed..Store bought really aren't there yet for planted tanks of Med - High requirements.
Since you want to go low tech MED setup I would look into a T5 (NO) Normal Output and since it is a 55 you would be better off going to 2 (single tube) units, with will give you the spread you need. 48" T5NO.
hope that helps.
Are you wanting a Med low maintaince setup, or are you going HI Tech?, since you mentioned not breaking the bank I am assuming not.
Stay away from LED's, unless DIYed..Store bought really aren't there yet for planted tanks of Med - High requirements.
Since you want to go low tech MED setup I would look into a T5 (NO) Normal Output and since it is a 55 you would be better off going to 2 (single tube) units, with will give you the spread you need. 48" T5NO.
hope that helps.
You really want to go for 2 watts per gallon, I'd go for some t5 ho and then do a DIY co2. Remember lighting is the most important thing, you don't want to skimp. But if you look around, you should be able to get 48" lights for under 200$. Make sure you pick up some eco complete/flourite as well.
How are the Odyssea lights? I was looking at the 48" 162W (3x 54W) T5 HO Trio Deluxe Light Fixture w/Built-in Digital Timer that you can get on Aquatraders.com. I've never used this brand but have recently been hearing about them. Are they any good? I have already been thinking about a DIY CO2 setup and the I already have flourite for the gravel and I have been using Flourish and Flourish Trace.
i have those lights their nice but the little stand they come with to elivate dosent work to well and i ended up taking it off
keep us posted...I was going to order the same unit for my 75 gallon but need to know how hot they get since they will be on for 6-9 hours a day
Heat is one of my worries but I'll try to keep this going. Between work and a baby in a little over a month away, my time is kind of short.
I completely understand. My 75 gallon set up is with a canopy so wanted to make sure it didn't get too hot. I read few reviews about the 4 T5 HO 216W fixture where it get hot but most people didn't have canopy so it was not a concern for them.
This is what I am working with so far and I am going to be doing a DIY CO2 set up this weekend. The water is a little cloudy due to me getting a Rapps order in and putting 12 new fish in and then me going out and picking up 2 small Angels and and 4 tiny albino Cory's in about 4 hours later. My fault completely, but the fish show no sign of any problems and my water is still testing out fine.
