Hey all
Well this weekend I went out and got a 55G tank and I am in the process of setting it up. It came with two 24" 15W florescent lights. I am going to be setting up as a planted community tank (upgrade of my 10G ;D ). I was wondering if that lighting is good enough for that tank? if it is not any suggestions (that is not too expensive to upgrade my lighting).
quick answer, No. Thats only 30watts over 55G - which is only .54 watts per gallon which is very low light. You should be looking to get your tank to about 2watts per gallon for a moderate/low light tank. Or 3 watts per gallon (Sorry meant to say 3 watts here not 2) or above for a high light tank and then you will be dealing with Co2 and fert dosing.
Do lots of reading. I got a book from the Library called 'the planted aquarium' that had lots of great advice on lighting and Co2 and different types of plants, I suggest picking that one up and lots of other books and websites too.
Good luck with the project
2 WPG is not a high light tank, nor does it require CO2.
xiaan, if you are handy, it would be very easy to make a simple 2 x 55 watt setup. One 55 watt compact flourescent for each side of the tank and you will have a very simple setup for a medium light tank.
Quote from: xiaan on October 16, 2007, 08:52:26 AM
Hey all
Well this weekend I went out and got a 55G tank and I am in the process of setting it up. It came with two 24" 15W florescent lights. I am going to be setting up as a planted community tank (upgrade of my 10G ;D ). I was wondering if that lighting is good enough for that tank? if it is not any suggestions (that is not too expensive to upgrade my lighting).
Have a read on this link , this is my favourite referral :), deals with most if not all aspects of starting a planted tank
http://www.rexgrigg.com/light.htm
Regards
I was looking at getting this:
Coralife F/W T-5 Aqualight Double Strip Light-48" - $99.99
http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp17943/si1316053/cl0/coralifefwt5aqualightdoublestriplight48
But it is only 28Wx2 = 56W ~= 1W/G
I guess I could go with something like this:
Coralife 48" Aqualight Power Compact Strip Light- 2X65Watt - $159.99
http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp17952/si1320158/cl0/coralifefreshwateraqualight48powercompactlight2x65w
65Wx2 = 130W ~= 2W/G+
Really depends on what plants you want to grow...
Quote from: BigDaddy on October 16, 2007, 09:11:00 AM
2 WPG is not a high light tank, nor does it require CO2.
xiaan, if you are handy, it would be very easy to make a simple 2 x 55 watt setup. One 55 watt compact flourescent for each side of the tank and you will have a very simple setup for a medium light tank.
I am handy ;D
How would you go about doing that?
Quote from: xiaan on October 16, 2007, 09:22:06 AM
I was looking at getting this:
Coralife F/W T-5 Aqualight Double Strip Light-48" - $99.99
http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp17943/si1316053/cl0/coralifefwt5aqualightdoublestriplight48
But it is only 28Wx2 = 56W ~= 1W/G
I guess I could go with something like this:
Coralife 48" Aqualight Power Compact Strip Light- 2X65Watt - $159.99
http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp17952/si1320158/cl0/coralifefreshwateraqualight48powercompactlight2x65w
65Wx2 = 130W ~= 2W/G+
Option 1 is no good , as you indicated it is only 56 watts ( normal output T5`s)
Option 2 is good , if you are confident that you want a medium light tank of course you can add another strip later if you decide you want a high light tank. You would probably need to factor in cost of glass tops as well.
The T5 HO fixtures do a great job as well, i have a 40 gallon with a Hagen double T5 HO ( 2x39 watts), that i`m very happy with ( but i`m injecting co2 & adding ferts as per EI schedule)
Regards
Talking from personal experience. Buying a lighting kit from AH supply in the states and then building into a custom built canopy is not cost effective. In the end you'll be paying the same as buying commercial products IMO.
Yes.. but your DIY AH Supply setup is actually a better lighting solution than some of the commercial units out there (waterproof end caps, really good reflectors, etc...)
Buchanan Lighting sells 5,000K 55W CF bulbs and sockets.. and you can buy a workhorse 5 or 7 to drive them (Fulham only guarantees the WH7 for reasons I could explain but would require its own thread!)
I just checked J & L aquatics and they have the Coralife 48" Aqualight Power Compact Strip Light for $127.95 I think I might look into getting that. The upgrade kits are way to expensive (around 100 for each light).
Can I use the Coralife light on my existing (normal plastic) canopies or do I have to look into getting glass hoods?
Quote from: xiaan on October 16, 2007, 01:30:24 PM
I just checked J & L aquatics and they have the Coralife 48" Aqualight Power Compact Strip Light for $127.95 I think I might look into getting that. The upgrade kits are way to expensive (around 100 for each light).
Can I use the Coralife light on my existing (normal plastic) canopies or do I have to look into getting glass hoods?
You will need glass tops for any other lights other than a retro fit to your exsisting lights.
Regards
As Charlie say, The new Hagen HO retrofit lighting is excellent. I saw them at my friend petshop and you can take Hagen reflectors that go with it, not as good at AH Supply (Miro) but they have the right shape and size to be really effective.
Good: Price vs Lumens
Bad: stock with Hagen for the bulbs (I'm sure alternative are out there in the HO bulb...
I went with glass canopies and a 48" shoplight suspended on a chain. 2@40W. This type of setup is in keeping with the Natural planted tank system promoted by Diana Walstad.
$30 for the light unit and bulbs and a bit more than that for the glass canopies.
I successfully keep stuff like Valisneria, Anubias, Hygrophyla, Crypts, Swords and an African Lotus. My aponogeton seems to be doing ok too. I cant keep much fancy stuff and stem plants like the Hygro have a hard time keeping the lower leaves. But all in all it is a very simple, low cost and low maintenance system. Just right for me.
Oh and I will always go glass top or no top from now on especially with a planted tank. If you put a plastic lid on there you miss out seeing all the floating stuff like lillypads ;)
Since I have realized that my lighting is inadequate for my tank I have done some research on what would be the most cost effective method to light my tank. Also, this is a display tank for my living room I wanted the fixture to fit on top of my tank and to look nice.
I am probably going to get the Coralife 48" AquaLight Fixture - 2 x 65W as it is the cheapest lighting for my needs.
Here is a list of lighting options I have found:
Gallons Watts W/G Price W/Price Product Name Refrence
F 55 28 0.51 $99.99 $3.57 All-Glass Single Deluxe Strip Light- 48" http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp17943/si1315897/cl0/allglasssingledeluxestriplight48black
F 55 30 0.55 $99.98 $3.33 ****All-Glass Single Strip Light- 24" x 2 http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp17943/si1315911/cl0/allglasssinglestriplight24oak
PC 55 40 0.73 $59.96 $1.50 Coralife Mini Compact Colormax Lamp 10 W x 4 In Incandescent hoods http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp17944/si1316017/cl0/coralifeminicompactcolormaxlamp10w
F 55 56 1.02 $99.99 $1.79 Coralife S/W T-5 Aqualight Double Strip Light - 48" http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp17943/si1316053/cl0/coralifefwt5aqualightdoublestriplight48
PC 55 80 1.45 $91.96 $1.15 Coralife Mini Compact Colormax Lamp 20 W x 4 In Incandescent hoods http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp17944/si1319972/cl0/coralifeminicompactcolormaxlamp20watt
F 55 84 1.53 $199.99 $2.38 All-Glass Triple Tube Strip Light - 48" http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp17943/si1315904/cl0/allglasstripletubestriplight48black
VHO 55 108 1.96 $159.99 $1.48 Hagen Glo T5 HO Lighting System - 2-Bulb, 2 x 54W Critter Jungle
PC 55 110 2.00 $125.00 $1.14 AHS 2 x 55 watt Bright Kit Retrofit existing hood http://www.ahsupply.com/36-55w.htm
PC 55 130 2.36 $127.95 $0.98 Coralife 48" AquaLight Fixture - 2 x 65W http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/l-pc.php?product_ID=pc-alf48130
PC 55 192 3.49 $217.96 $1.14 AHS 2 x 96 watt Bright Kit & Hood http://www.ahsupply.com/96watt.htm
VHO 55 216 3.93 $234.95 $1.09 Sunlight Supply 48" New Wave T5 Fixture - 4-Bulb, 4 x 54W http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/l-fl-hood2.php?product_ID=sl-t5tl4804
PC 55 220 4.00 $246.94 $1.12 AHS 4 x 55 watt Bright Kit & Hood http://www.ahsupply.com/36-55w.htm
PC 55 260 4.73 $257.95 $0.99 Coralife 48" AquaLight Fixture - 4 x 65W http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/l-pc.php?product_ID=pc-al48260
VHO 55 324 5.89 $419.95 $1.30 Sunlight Supply 48" Tek Light T5 Fixture - 6-Bulb, 6 x 54W http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/l-fl-hood2.php?product_ID=sl-t5tl4806
VHO 55 432 7.85 $449.95 $1.04 Sunlight Supply 48" Tek Light T5 Fixture - 8-Bulb, 8 x 54W http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/l-fl-hood2.php?product_ID=sl-t5tl4808
MH 55 492 8.95 $829.95 $1.69 Coralife 48" AquaLight Pro Metal Halide Fixture - 2 x 150W http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/l-mh-esu.php?product_ID=mh-calp48
MH 55 692 12.58 $1049.95 $1.52 Coralife 48" AquaLight Pro Metal Halide Fixture - 2 x 250W http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/l-mh-esu.php?product_ID=mh-calp482
**** my current setup
Hi
I have that and i highly recommend it... One thing of note is Big Als does price matching!! If you can go to Pets and ponds online print the light fixture you wish, Als will match that price... a savings for sure!!
Coralife FRESHWATER 48" 2-65 Watt Aqualight.... $CAD 142.85
cheers
Quote from: beautyeh on October 19, 2007, 03:24:31 PM
Big Als does price matching!!
I found it at J&L Aquatics for $CAD 127.95
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/l-pc.php?product_ID=pc-alf48130
I will see if they will price match it...
They will price match it but they will add on the shipping to. They also did not have the light at Big Al's and there is no OVAS discount on lighting. So I ordered it from J&L Aquatics. I should have the light by Monday ;D
The discount thing seems to be pretty hit and miss at BA's. I wonder if it is actually written down at the store or if it depends on the sales person ???
I have been told it does not apply to bare tanks but given credit on an Aqualight pro. You that it does not apply to lighting. This website says complete tank kits! I wonder what it will be tomorow when I stop by there ::)
Just got 2x 48"T5HO incl. reflector for $120 at B&B Hydroponic Garden, 1780 Woodward Ave. I am quite happy with it. More light than I thought 8)
Just want to let you know ... :)
edit: ups, just saw your ordered your lights already. Definitely a good choice too!
For Fishkopp
QuoteJust got 2x 48"T5HO incl. reflector for $120 at B&B Hydroponic Garden, 1780 Woodward Ave. I am quite happy with it. More light than I thought
Is this the Hagen setup?
do you have electronic ballast, waterproof endcaps with this?
How many watt by light?
Quote from: Glouglou on October 30, 2007, 10:18:05 PM
For Fishkopp
Is this the Hagen setup?
do you have electronic ballast, waterproof endcaps with this?
How many watt by light?
No, its not hagen. These are two single bulb 54W 6700K with each having their own ballast. No waterproof endcaps. Reflectors are separate. Its easy and simple if you can hang it or mount it underneeth somewhere.