Hi everyone, just moved up to a 55 gallon tank for my plants and my tetras.
I need advice on filtration and lighting. I'll have to switch out the Tetratec PF300 filter because of CO2 loss and the lighting is significantly inadequate.
I would like med-high light (2-3 watts??? per gallon) but the more I read, the more confused I get. T-5, T-8, VHO, Metal Halide???? Want lighting to be under $200, well preferably way under $200 so there goes metal halide. One article said to goto Lowe's to get a 48" double flor light fixture to hang over the tank. Any recommendations?
Filters - internal filters or canister filters? I have a Hot Magnum that I can stuff with alternative medium and have the outtake flow return under the water. How can I tell if this works?
Best foreground plants for a waterlawn?
Tanks!!!
Lighting a 55 gallon
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fishheads1999
- Posts: 23
- Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2004 3:43 pm
Hi Fishheads,
For filters, I have good success with the Fluval '04 series from Hagen. They are pretty quiet, and haven't given me too many problems with clogging. Now, some folks like to run their CO2 lines directly into their canister filter. I have read that the Fluval's tend to airlock when you do this. I haven't tried it, but if you plan on doing this, you might want to look elsewhere.
Now, on lights. I've had a lot of success with power compact light strips from All-Glass Aquarium.
<a href="http://www.all-glass.com/products/hoods ... ites.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.all-glass.com/products/hoods ... s.shtml</a>
For a 55 gallon, I would start with one 110Watt (2x55Watt) strip, and go from there, depending on the types of plants you want to grow. I haven't priced these recently, but I think they run in the $100-$135 range, new. The nice thing about the power compacts, over the standard fluorescent tubes is their life. You should get 12-18 months from a PC bulb, where most standard tubes start degrading after 6-8 months.
If you're more of a DIYer, you might want to check out AH Supply's fixtures. <a href="http://ahsupply.com" target="_blank">http://ahsupply.com</a>. They've gotten rave reviews. I've ordered their bulbs, but I haven't tried their fixtures. I think a few other members here have used them, however. Anyone?
-Kris
For filters, I have good success with the Fluval '04 series from Hagen. They are pretty quiet, and haven't given me too many problems with clogging. Now, some folks like to run their CO2 lines directly into their canister filter. I have read that the Fluval's tend to airlock when you do this. I haven't tried it, but if you plan on doing this, you might want to look elsewhere.
Now, on lights. I've had a lot of success with power compact light strips from All-Glass Aquarium.
<a href="http://www.all-glass.com/products/hoods ... ites.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.all-glass.com/products/hoods ... s.shtml</a>
For a 55 gallon, I would start with one 110Watt (2x55Watt) strip, and go from there, depending on the types of plants you want to grow. I haven't priced these recently, but I think they run in the $100-$135 range, new. The nice thing about the power compacts, over the standard fluorescent tubes is their life. You should get 12-18 months from a PC bulb, where most standard tubes start degrading after 6-8 months.
If you're more of a DIYer, you might want to check out AH Supply's fixtures. <a href="http://ahsupply.com" target="_blank">http://ahsupply.com</a>. They've gotten rave reviews. I've ordered their bulbs, but I haven't tried their fixtures. I think a few other members here have used them, however. Anyone?
-Kris
