New Light Fixture

[San O Fisher]

so i have the basic fixture that came with my tank and it is crap, so i am getting a new one.

will this fixture keep amazon swords alive: 2 x 54W - T5 - 48 Inch...in my 55 gallon tank.

Please let me know as I want to move towards a fully planted tank.

 

[aaronnorth]

it will keep them alive if you have a CO2 injection system - this will be necassary with the 2 x54w fixture.

 

[San O Fisher]

it will keep them alive if you have a CO2 injection system - this will be necassary with the 2 x54w fixture.

I do not and I was not planning on getting one, but would that be enough light alone? I am not looking for the greatest planted tank, but i hate the look of fake plants. Should I move to 4x54w? I think that is an extra 60-70 dollars more.

Thanks

 

[aaronnorth]

once you get above 2wpg (110w), CO2 is a must. And if you are planning on having T5, then do not go above 1wpg(55w T5)

 

[three-fingers]

I do not and I was not planning on getting one, but would that be enough light alone? I am not looking for the greatest planted tank, but i hate the look of fake plants. Should I move to 4x54w? I think that is an extra 60-70 dollars more.

Thanks

Only if there's something wrong with your existing ballast, what are its specs and what is wrong with how the swords are growing?

Don't worry about CO2, it might now be a problem even with the new higher light fixture. If you do get it and find you have too much light, you can just add floating plants to block some of the light - much cheaper than CO2.

Though preferably if you existing fixture really is that bad (and you don't want a high-light, CO2 injected planted tank), just get a replacement fixture with bulbs that output less light, like a single 54w T5 tube. This would be a much easier option .

 

[San O Fisher]

Only if there's something wrong with your existing ballast, what are its specs and what is wrong with how the swords are growing?

Don't worry about CO2, it might now be a problem even with the new higher light fixture. If you do get it and find you have too much light, you can just add floating plants to block some of the light - much cheaper than CO2.

Though preferably if you existing fixture really is that bad (and you don't want a high-light, CO2 injected planted tank), just get a replacement fixture with bulbs that output less light, like a single 54w T5 tube. This would be a much easier option .
[/quote]

They are not going, they are turning black and dieing because right now my light fixutures has two crappy 15W bulbs. So if I get this correct I should have one 54W-T5 bulb for a semi planted 55 gallon? Or should I get the dual bulb fixture and lower the wattage?

Thanks Again

 

[three-fingers]

They are not going, they are turning black and dieing because right now my light fixutures has two crappy 15W bulbs. So if I get this correct I should have one 54W-T5 bulb for a semi planted 55 gallon? Or should I get the dual bulb fixture and lower the wattage?

Thanks Again

One 54W T5 bulb would be pretty much perfect, though you may also want to try root tabs before you splash out on a new lighting fixture.
You could go for a dual bulb fixture of a lower wattage if you want, but I can think of no benefits, did you have a specific model in mind?

I've had sword plants thrive under a single 25w T12 tube with root tabs, they are heavy root feeders, often lack of substrate nutrients rather than light is the problem.

If root tabs don't work on their own, they will very much help the plant when you upgrade the lighting anyway .

This is all assuming you don't have a plant substrate already though, if you do, disregard all I've said and go for the single 54W tube.

 

[San O Fisher]

One 54W T5 bulb would be pretty much perfect, though you may also want to try root tabs before you splash out on a new lighting fixture.
You could go for a dual bulb fixture of a lower wattage if you want, but I can think of no benefits, did you have a specific model in mind?

I've had sword plants thrive under a single 25w T12 tube with root tabs, they are heavy root feeders, often lack of substrate nutrients rather than light is the problem.

If root tabs don't work on their own, they will very much help the plant when you upgrade the lighting anyway .

This is all assuming you don't have a plant substrate already though, if you do, disregard all I've said and go for the single 54W tube.
[/quote]

Root tabs? They guy at the store said the plant would be fine in teh sand, but after research I am thinking that is not the case. what are root tabs though? I am new live plants if you cant tell.

Thanks

 

[KraKen]

Root tabs are little tablet type things that are infused with fertilizer , you push them under the substrate an the nutrients slowly leak out. You could also make them yourself like they show in this link

clay fertilizer balls