Please help with lighting question

[iwiied]

here's what i want my tank to look like (pictures from sticky post)
my question: what kind of lighting do i need? would t5 work? if so how many and what kind of bulbs wattage. i am trying to stay away from mh lighting as it draw too much eltricitgy and produce too much heat.

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

How can we answer these questions without knowing anything about your tank size, set-up, water chemistry, water treatment, fish, and desired plant species??

HarleyK

 

[WyldFya]

The tank on top is a great tank if I do say so myself, but it is alas no more.

 

[iwiied]

i will be using a 55 gallon glass tank, water chemistry = tap water, water treatment = dechlor, no fish, plant species = i do'nt know anything at all about water plants. i was hoping that would be the next question i'd ask , i think i will want someting like hte 2nd picture
thanks

Howdy,

How can we answer these questions without knowing anything about your tank size, set-up, water chemistry, water treatment, fish, and desired plant species??

HarleyK

 

[duke33]

I think for that beauty you'd need 2-3 watss per gallon. BUT, I'm just learning myself so keep up your research.

 

[Charles d]

nice tank!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Nammy]

Taging along, need lights too!

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

For the height of a 55gal, compact fluorescents are sufficient (Coralife Aqualight Freshwater). Still, light isn't everything. What's your pH, nitrates, phosphates, iron, are you willing to adjust those for your plants, what fish do you keep? A silverdollar will never allow you to build a planted tank. Besides, temp etc. For plant suggestions, please search this forum. It's best to begin with easy to care for plants. You can't pull off a tank like the above as a complete novice. At least not for long. It's experience and how much effort you are willing to put into it.

HarleyK

 

[iwiied]

thanks for the advice, .. searching around for info

 

[oOMO3NOo]

amount of lighting depends on how much work you want to put into it. higher light = more work. its all a balance between light co2 and fertz. more light the faster things can get out of hand.

basically
low light = no co2 or fertz required (but plants will benifit from alot them)
med light = should have co2 and fertz but dont need to dose daily
high light = must have co2 and daily fertz

that is just basic and in its simplist form thats easy to understand it will change based on plants you keep and many other things but that is the basic way it works. also most plants will handle most water conditions. if your fish can handle it usually your plants can too so you shouldnt have to worry about changing your ph and kh all around just for the plants. (nutrients are a different store though)

side note:
there is alot of research that shows plants do better in lower light levels (as long as the min light requirement is met) with good levels of co2 then supper high light so just somthing to think about.