Lighting Advice

[Rlon35]

I have a 55 gallon planted aquarium with the following plant species:

Anubias, onions, sagitteria, red tiger lotus, java fern, java fern lace, moss balls, reddish ludwigia (not well), anacharis, camboba, java moss, nana pettite, wisteria (coming back), watersprite (dying), and an amazon sword. The only fixture I can get (belive me, as I don't want to go into the details again) is the Coralife Freshwater Aqualight Double Linear Strip Compact 48 inch Fluorescent Fixture. Now, the money question, given the fact that some of my ferns are somewhat close to the top of the tank, should I get the 130 watt or 260 watt option. 130 puts me comfortable over 2 watts per gallon, while 260 puts me WeLL over 4 per gallon. Anyone have any advice on this choice?

 

[susankat]

I would go with the 130 watts, unless you have pressurized co2 as at the high wattage you would be looking at an algae farm without co2 and ferts.

 

[Mikaila31]

130watt one if those are your only choices

 

[Rlon35]

Thanks guys...

 

[aaronnorth]

You have a large tank so the 2WPG will be slightly higher, you will still need CO2 & ferts at thsi level, If you dont want CO2 then i always say stick with 1.5wpg - not too low or high.

 

[lljdma06]

You have a large tank so the 2WPG will be slightly higher, you will still need CO2 & ferts at thsi level, If you dont want CO2 then i always say stick with 1.5wpg - not too low or high.

I agree. I know you don't want to get into this, but are you sure you've exhausted all your lighting options? Where have you looked? I could have sworn there was a 96 or 95W fixture somewhere that was 48" and another member found a 108W fixture somewhere else. I think the 108W was 48" too. Look into both Compact Fluorescents and T5s and you may get more options. Even a double fixture may allow you to operate only one bulb, giving you what you need.

See, I run into the opposite problem, I am always looking for fixtures smaller than 24" and I'm always seeing 48" fixtures when I browse.

Where are you located?

Good luck,

llj

 

[Rlon35]

You have a large tank so the 2WPG will be slightly higher, you will still need CO2 & ferts at thsi level, If you dont want CO2 then i always say stick with 1.5wpg - not too low or high.

I agree. I know you don't want to get into this, but are you sure you've exhausted all your lighting options? Where have you looked? I could have sworn there was a 96 or 95W fixture somewhere that was 48" and another member found a 108W fixture somewhere else. I think the 108W was 48" too. Look into both Compact Fluorescents and T5s and you may get more options. Even a double fixture may allow you to operate only one bulb, giving you what you need.

See, I run into the opposite problem, I am always looking for fixtures smaller than 24" and I'm always seeing 48" fixtures when I browse.

Where are you located?

Good luck,

llj

^^^^^^^^^^^Yes, there is a 96 watt option, but, excuse my ignorance, as I thought that would be too low. I am in Miami, Florida. Do you (and others) think I'd even be better off with 96 as opposed to 130?

 

[Rlon35]

By the way, I have a fermentation CO@ kit that is geared to 40 galllons. I won't be upgrading that for a while, unfortunately.

 

[lljdma06]

Yes, there is a 96 watt option, but, excuse my ignorance, as I thought that would be too low. I am in Miami, Florida. Do you (and others) think I'd even be better off with 96 as opposed to 130?

You are in Miami! I am in Miami! Where abouts? Planted tank people here are so rare. Your sources here are virtually nil. I can tell you a decent place to get fish, though.

96W is not too low at all and may be better, especially if you can't commit to pressurized CO2 at this time. You've got a 55g, 96W will grow most of what's readily available, except for some more light-demanding species and little lawncovers (there are still options for lawncovers, though). It's a good level for a beginner, or if you don't have much time, like me. You'll have enough light to have a proper planted tank, but not so much that you'll be over-whelmed with rapid growth or quick-appearing algae issues, and you'll have more time to react to changes.

 

[Rlon35]

Yes, there is a 96 watt option, but, excuse my ignorance, as I thought that would be too low. I am in Miami, Florida. Do you (and others) think I'd even be better off with 96 as opposed to 130?

You are in Miami! I am in Miami! Where abouts? Planted tank people here are so rare. Your sources here are virtually nil. I can tell you a decent place to get fish, though.

96W is not too low at all and may be better, especially if you can't commit to pressurized CO2 at this time. You've got a 55g, 96W will grow most of what's readily available, except for some more light-demanding species and little lawncovers (there are still options for lawncovers, though). It's a good level for a beginner, or if you don't have much time, like me. You'll have enough light to have a proper planted tank, but not so much that you'll be over-whelmed with rapid growth or quick-appearing algae issues, and you'll have more time to react to changes.

I work in Miami and live in Hallandale. I like the idea of 96 watts. I need a fixture with top mounted fans because of my canopy situation. The 96 inch fixtue is not 48 inches, but I can mount it across the glass top, I suppose. In was really looking forward to getting a ground cover. I suppose I would be better of with 130 watts in that vein. Hey....where do you get you plants? Ever been to Big Als...I love that place!?!?

 

[lljdma06]

Yes, there is a 96 watt option, but, excuse my ignorance, as I thought that would be too low. I am in Miami, Florida. Do you (and others) think I'd even be better off with 96 as opposed to 130?

You are in Miami! I am in Miami! Where abouts? Planted tank people here are so rare. Your sources here are virtually nil. I can tell you a decent place to get fish, though.

96W is not too low at all and may be better, especially if you can't commit to pressurized CO2 at this time. You've got a 55g, 96W will grow most of what's readily available, except for some more light-demanding species and little lawncovers (there are still options for lawncovers, though). It's a good level for a beginner, or if you don't have much time, like me. You'll have enough light to have a proper planted tank, but not so much that you'll be over-whelmed with rapid growth or quick-appearing algae issues, and you'll have more time to react to changes.

I work in Miami and live in Hallandale. I like the idea of 96 watts. I need a fixture with top mounted fans because of my canopy situation. The 96 inch fixtue is not 48 inches, but I can mount it across the glass top, I suppose. In was really looking forward to getting a ground cover. I suppose I would be better of with 130 watts in that vein. Hey....where do you get you plants? Ever been to Big Als...I love that place!?!?

But you can have a lawncover with 96W. Look at Marsilea hirsuta, Echinodorus tennellus, and even possibly Hemiathus micranthemoides. There is a new Lileaopsis maritius (sp) that may also work. Your tank is 55g, so a lawncover doesn't have to be teenie tiny. You'll get the same effect with a 4 inch plant, as long as it spreads along the substrate.

I've been to Big Al's and wasn't impressed. It didn't have what wanted and I wasn't pleased with the condition of the plants, nor the prices. Their online prices are way better. I usually order my plants online. I've used a few different vendors and am trying a new one now. If the new one's good, I'll recommend them.

For nice fish in Miami, I go to Amazon Jungle pets in Country Walk. Nice selection and the owner, Luis, is really nice. If I can't find what I'm looking for there, I'll order the fish online too.

In October, I'll be celebrating 20 years in this hobby. After a while, you get bored with the selection commonly found at stores and chains.

llj

 

[Rlon35]

Yes, there is a 96 watt option, but, excuse my ignorance, as I thought that would be too low. I am in Miami, Florida. Do you (and others) think I'd even be better off with 96 as opposed to 130?

You are in Miami! I am in Miami! Where abouts? Planted tank people here are so rare. Your sources here are virtually nil. I can tell you a decent place to get fish, though.

96W is not too low at all and may be better, especially if you can't commit to pressurized CO2 at this time. You've got a 55g, 96W will grow most of what's readily available, except for some more light-demanding species and little lawncovers (there are still options for lawncovers, though). It's a good level for a beginner, or if you don't have much time, like me. You'll have enough light to have a proper planted tank, but not so much that you'll be over-whelmed with rapid growth or quick-appearing algae issues, and you'll have more time to react to changes.

I work in Miami and live in Hallandale. I like the idea of 96 watts. I need a fixture with top mounted fans because of my canopy situation. The 96 inch fixtue is not 48 inches, but I can mount it across the glass top, I suppose. In was really looking forward to getting a ground cover. I suppose I would be better of with 130 watts in that vein. Hey....where do you get you plants? Ever been to Big Als...I love that place!?!?

But you can have a lawncover with 96W. Look at Marsilea hirsuta, Echinodorus tennellus, and even possibly Hemiathus micranthemoides. There is a new Lileaopsis maritius (sp) that may also work. Your tank is 55g, so a lawncover doesn't have to be teenie tiny. You'll get the same effect with a 4 inch plant, as long as it spreads along the substrate.

I've been to Big Al's and wasn't impressed. It didn't have what wanted and I wasn't pleased with the condition of the plants, nor the prices. Their online prices are way better. I usually order my plants online. I've used a few different vendors and am trying a new one now. If the new one's good, I'll recommend them.

For nice fish in Miami, I go to Amazon Jungle pets in Country Walk. Nice selection and the owner, Luis, is really nice. If I can't find what I'm looking for there, I'll order the fish online too.

In October, I'll be celebrating 20 years in this hobby. After a while, you get bored with the selection commonly found at stores and chains.

llj

^^^^^^^^^^

Well, thanks for sharing your 20 years worth of wisdom with a newbie. I will check out that pet store.

 

[lljdma06]

Well, thanks for sharing your 20 years worth of wisdom with a newbie. I will check out that pet store.

It just makes me feel old. Bear in mind, I was 12 when I started. 10g tank with electric blue gravel and an under gravel filter. Oh, and don't forget the bubble diver, he's very important.

llj

 

[Rlon35]

Well, thanks for sharing your 20 years worth of wisdom with a newbie. I will check out that pet store.

It just makes me feel old. Bear in mind, I was 12 when I started. 10g tank with electric blue gravel and an under gravel filter. Oh, and don't forget the bubble diver, he's very important.

llj

^^^^^^^^^

I was young when I started, but I just got back into it 5 years ago, into plants in the last 6 months. I have no desire for saltwater, unless it is a shark tank. I remember when I was twelve, I kept buying angels and neons, and I couldn't understand why the neons were always beat up and dying. I always went with a combo of a pleco, tiger barbs, silver dollars, and angels when younger. Man, talk about a bad combo...my father kept oscars and goldfish. In the fall, after the pool got all green, we'd put all the goldfish in...when Summer came, we'd bail out the pool and catch the goldfish, for their return to the tank. Man, did they grow! But, now that I think about being in that green murky crud, it seems kind of gross. But, man, is that a good memory...fun stuff. It sucks to get old...