Lighting For A 55 Gallons

[blesser13]

Hello everyone I am new to this forum

I just setuped a new tank 55 gallons 1 week ago. I have 2x39 watts T5HO and i will add some seachem flourish maybe monthly since im not getting high light plants and a DYI co2 setup, mostly low to moderate plants, its a low tech planted tank that I would like to have, I don't wanna invest on fertz to much. I need to know if my lights are to strong for my 209L tank. The only thing i can do is remove the reflectors , i cannot post a picture file size is too big =/

 

[K_Hedin]

You lighting should be sufficient. I have a 55 US gallon tank. Same size as yours according the calculator on the site. I have a 35W T8 bulb and am able to grow plants just fine by using just the fish waste. I was adding flourish excel but money is tight right now and I can't afford it. Anything you dose you are going to want to do more than once a month. Probably at least 3 times a week. Hope that helps.

 

[RadaR]

If you want to keep it low tech then don't use any CO2 or liquid carbon product as this completely takes it out of low tech.
That's quite a big of light for a low tech therefore I would get lots of floating plants in there. Light on for 8hours a day, no breaks.
The fish should provide msot nutrients, though you may have to dose trace elements every water change or so.
Make sure the tank has good flow and circulation.
Keep an eye out for any nutrient deficiences. Who knows, maybe they'll need more N+P than the fish can provide. It's all about observing and acting accordingly.

 

[blesser13]

Thanks for the replies!

Actually i don't have any floating plants or any test kit for fertz, removing the reflectors will help? Actually i wanted the cheapest way possible, i don't really want to invest in fertz or pressurized co2.For now i have no sign of algae maybe because my tank is 2 weeks old and i provide only 7hrs of light per day. I have the Eheim 2217 which provide a really good flow at the surface.My parameters are 0ppm.

 

[RadaR]

Yes removing reflectors will reduce light intensity.
You dont need test kits for nutrients. They are largely inaccurate anyway (especially nitrate) and relying on them leads to trouble because people end up not having enough nutrients. Not having enough nutrients is much worse than having too much in a planted tank. You shouldnt have to worry though because you're opting for low tech.
Having low-light/low tech is definetly the easy life and the cheapest way.