Lighting: So Many Options! Help!

[mdwheeler]

Okay: so I hit up the amazing sale petco had this week and purchased a 29 gallon tank for $29 bucks and a stand that was half off at petsmart.

Its a standard 29 gallon aquarium, with a width of 30 inches. Currently, since freshwater planted aquariums can typically get expensive, i'm going to slowly buy my items in pieces. Heres my list:

Filter: Marineland c160
Heater: Hydor ETH In-line Heater
Substrate:CaribSea Black Sand (got it in my 10g planted and LOVE it)
Co2 Regulator: Pressure Regulator with Solenoid sold by FosterSmith
10pound Co2 Tank
Circulation: Hydor Koralia Nano (have one in my 10 gallon but want 2 for the 29g setup)

But for the lightning i'm not sure what to get. My original plan was to get the Nova Extreme 30 in T5HO light, because I have the 24 in on my 10 gallon, but the 30 in uses the same bulbs as the 24, and 48 watts isn't cutting it for me on a 29 gallon heavily planted aquarium (it will be my jungle masterpiece ).

I was thinking maybe get a 36 inch fixture, possibly one with 4 bulbs and simply have 2 10,000k's and 2 6400k's. I want HIGH LIGHTING but don't wanna go with metal halide seeing how expensive and kinda high maintenance sounding the seem. Plus its not a saltwater aquarium, and it seems a bit much for freshwater.

I hate to leave brands (aka Current USA) but if someone has found something better for hopefully less than $100 (i'll go to 150 I guess) then tell me what you think. I've been looking at the new marineland led light fixture too, but i'm not thinking its what i'm really looking for.

I'm set in my ways on the other equipment (unless you've heard bad news about the pressure regulator).

 

[mdwheeler]

I hope bumping isn't against the rules....but any advice would be much appreciated!

 

[RadaR]

48W of t5 over 29 gallon is plenty. You don't need more than that.

 

[mdwheeler]

Alright thanks.

I kinda still wanna go higher though because I have 48 watts over my 10 gallon and its doing amazing. Dang tank grows like a weed, and oxygen production is extremely visible. What about 2 30in lights over the tank? I've noticed when looking at quite a few peoples journals that it appears they have two different lighting consoles.

 

[RadaR]

I wont condone more light but do as you please.
Plenty of folks ask if they need more light when infact most of them should be asking themselves do they have too much.
48W will be great. The plants dont need more than that and the lighting level is managable (minimises risk of algae). Yes, more light means faster growth, but that's only if CO2 and nutrients (and circulation) are up to par. Is the extra light worth it? These are the things to consider.