Tank Light

[The Equillibrium]

I have a coupon for thatfishplace.com, and I need a new light for my 36" bowfront 46 gallon tank. I currently have a worthless 30 watt on it and my amazon swords are not happy. I'm on a 16 year old lifeguard budget, so bear with me . I'm looking at the satellite single fixture. The double is too wide for my tank. Comments, suggestions?

By the way, the coupon expires on the 31st of December.


Thanks in advance

 

[Colin_T]

if the tank doesn't have a hood on it, you could hang a 75watt metal halide above the tank.

 

[The Equillibrium]

I have a hood. And isn't that wattage a bit low? I'm looking to add more types of plants later, but I'll get to that another time. The satellite single fixture has a single 96W bulb and several lunarlights.

 

[aaronnorth]

if you go over 2wpg (90w) of light then you will need CO2, so i would stick with no more than 70w T8, or 50w HO T5

 

[three-fingers]

I have a hood. And isn't that wattage a bit low? I'm looking to add more types of plants later, but I'll get to that another time. The satellite single fixture has a single 96W bulb and several lunarlights.

Any links to the the different fixtures you are considering?

 

[The Equillibrium]

I understand I will need CO2. I am planning on getting a systen soon after the light. Should I wait and get both at the same time? Is it bad to have high light levels without CO2? It will be that way for a few weeks.

And I am really considering the Current Satellite Sinlge Fixture above all.

 

[aaronnorth]

Should I wait and get both at the same time?

yes, or get the CO2 first, which ever suits you.

Is it bad to have high light levels without CO2?

yes, plants wont grow as they will not have enough Carbon to grow, and you will get algaes like hair algae & BBA.