Lighting for a 55 planted

[traco1]

I have a 55 gallon tank with 2 All-Glass Aquarium hoods. The hoods say they are "24" Fluorescent Aquarium Reflector, 120 volt, 19 watt, 60 hz. The bulbs that came with it are All-Glass Aquarium 15 watt.

Is it possible to put higher wattage bulbs in there? 30 watts for a 55 gallon is hardly any lighting for even low light plants, if I remember. I also have a homemade oak light which houses 55 watt power compacts but it is only 24" long which would look funny sitting on top of a 48" tank.

Thanks all.

Barb

[Danzig]

The hood will only put out the wattage specified, even if you put higher wattage lights in there. I would try to find another 24" light set to cover the other half. Or you could possibly go to home depot and buy a 48" flourescent shop fixture/lights for fairly cheap and just build yourself a canopy around them, or even hang them.

[thegrandpoohbah]

I agree with Danzig, a 48" shop light from the hardware store is the cheapest option if you have some way to hang it. Otherwise, there are any number of 48" T5, HO (high output) T5 or power compact light strips that will fit on that tank. I would aim for about 2 WPG (watts per gallon) of T5 or PC light for most of your typical plants. Regular flourescent bulbs are not as efficient and their light does not penetrate as well into deeper tanks.

Also, since your PC light is home made, can you just dismantle it and build a 48" version? Just add one more 55W fixture and you're all set.

[traco1]

I also have (and didn't even think of it while posting this thread!) a 48" strip light with two 40 watt T-10's and a Coralife 48" power compact with two 65 watt PC's on my 90 gallon planted, discus tank. But if I take one of the lights for the 55, I wonder how the plants in that tank will do?

Swords, crypts, onion plants, anubias, tiger lotus, java fern which are all doing well in that tank. I occassionally add Flourish but mostly rely on fert tabs added underneath the plants.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/traco1/IMG_4132.jpg

[Melody]

I am useless when it comes to such things, but I just wanted to say that I love that tank:smile: .

Back to your regularly scheduled program.

[traco1]

Thank you.:smile: If you notice, the blue cobalt over in the top left is guarding her umpteenth batch of eggs. They usually get eaten around day 2, just before they become wigglers, silly discus!

I'm going to love the plants and lights for the swords, platies and plants; some nice color is going to "pop color" with the fish I'm getting.

[Chahala]

I have a 55 as well. The lights that came with it I have on the back. I bought a 48" strip coral life and man does it ever make a difference. I haven't got real plants yet, but will soon. It sells for $179.99, and I got it for $100.00.

Makes my baby Cichlids look nice.