55 Gallon Light For Planted Tank

[bigdave2009]

Hello everyone,

I am buying new tank in the next few weeks and it is going to be planted. I know I need some special lighting for it, so I came here to ask what kind. I want one of the lights that have the legs that lift it above the glass if possible. I think what I need is a "compact light?" Also, I would like the light to have more then one bulb or setting, so I could have a moon light. I think that would be nice. I know they are expensive, so if you can help me out please let me know what I need and where I can find it. Websites, and pictures are greatly appreciated. Also, I am from the US so websites from the UK will no be of much help. Thanks!

Dave

 

[Hollymolly4]

I have smaller moon/lunar lights on my tanks. They just screwed or stuck on the inside of the hood wherever I wanted to put them. Got them from drfostersmith dot com I have the blue ones but you can also get white or red. Looks really cool!
Good luck with your new tank!

 

[Snick]

I GREATLY, emphasis en the word GREATLY, recommend Dr. Foster and Smith. I do not know the website, but if you Google it you will immediately find it. It is filled with great products at low prices. I myself have a planted tank and I use two metal halides suspended above my tank, each one 150 watts... of course my tank is 165 gallons, so that much light for your tank is not recommended! I would recommend about 165 watts of full spectrum lighting in your tank, so you would have 3 watts per gallon... thats more than enough for even the plants that demand the most light. You MUST be careful though, of you have that much light you MUST fill in the WHOLE tank with plants, and I mean FILL it, so that you do not have any algae problems. To battle the algae you should also consider a CO2 system, also found on the same website. All in all, I recommend you surf around that site, its great! (If you live far off from their facilities, don't worry; I had it sent to southern Texas and their offices are almost to the Canadian border and found everything in pristine conditions.)

ps. Take a look at fertilizers, using them in a balanced way greatly aids the growth and beauty of the plants.