plant lighting question

[Nautilus29]

I'm interested in putting plants in my 55g tank. I was wondering how many watts of lighting would be sufficient for high light plants.

Also Can you use a debit card on the internet. I dont have a credit card or pay pal and was wondering if I could use that instead.

[gm72]

I think you'll want at least 4 watts per gallon for high light plants. Debit card on the internet--not 100% sure, good question.

For the light, I personally would probably go with this:
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[Lady Hobbs]

I have a 130 watt on my 55. Strange how they seem so bright when you first get them and within days and you getting used to the different look, they just don't look all that bright anymore.

PayPal is very easy and the best way to shop online. You register for a PayPal account. Within a day or two, PayPal deposits two small amounts into your checking account. To verify it is really you, once those two deposits are into your account, you go back to PayPal and "confirm" by telling them how much those two deposits are. They will send you an email when those deposits are made and you just click on their link to confirm.

It is a very secure transaction and the only time you will need to confirm. After that, it's just your PayPal User name and password.

Money is deducted right from your account using PayPal.

[gm72]

I have a 130 watt on my 55.

But do you think that wattage would be okay for high light plants? Seems like that 130 watts would be for a low-light setup?

[Lady Hobbs]

gm is right if you want high light plants tho. You'll have to go with a high wattage and 130 watts won't do.

[Lady Hobbs]

We really do need to stop posting at the same time. LOL

[gm72]

Hahahaha! thumbs2:

[Nautilus29]

Thanks for all of the information. I was confused by the watt per gallon thing on the internet but now I understand.

And I will just set up a paypal account.

[gm72]

Great idea about paypal, and Lady described it perfectly. It is a wonderful tool to use!

[Lady Hobbs]

The lights can be confusing to me.

130 watts on the 55 is not enough but adding another gives me too much for the java fern, moss and crypts.

I would be happy if I could achieve 3 watts per gallon without being under limit or going to 4 watts.

I planted a low light tank last night and would be happy with 2 watts. The light I intend to buy will be 3 watts. sigh

[Algenco]

If your going "high light" you will have to have pressurized CO2 and ferts, diy will not cut it

[cocoa_pleco]

for a high light, you would need bare minimum 220w, which is easy to achieve. when my 55g as planted i just used the same lighting thats on my reef, 6 fluorescent bulbs

[Nautilus29]

does any one have the metal halogen lights. Whats cheaper to run flouresent bulbs or halogens.

[Nautilus29]

ok I just looked at halogens and they are way too expensive. I bought a 500w halogen spotlight for working at home for 15 dollars how come there hundreds for fish tanks.

[Lady Hobbs]

Very expensive and for saltwater tanks.

[Drumachine09]

Yeah, Halogens are VERY expensive. A 10,000k bulb for saltwater is usually ~$100.

Have you looked at Compact flourescents?

[gm72]

Earlier in the thread I posted a link to what I think would be a great light for a 55, CF Current USA.

[Nautilus29]

I missed that link. Thats one great lighting system. Im going to have to wait untill next month to buy it though. Thanks for the link. It even says the bulbs are included so that makes it a little more reasonable.

[Lady Hobbs]

The bulbs should come in any lights that are worth their salt. Make sure they are for planted tanks and not the blue ones for saltwater tanks.

[gm72]

Watch that though, I think one of the bulbs is an actinic. The actinic won't do much for your plants. I swapped the stock bulbs in my fixtures for SunPaq bulbs. They aren't too expensive though, and you could sell the stock bulb on eBay.

[Nautilus29]

ok sounds good. Im starting to wonder why Ive gotten myself into this plant think lol all of the money. anyways would this be ok for co2 or would I need something better.

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[gm72]

I'm just learning about CO2, so I can't be sure about this, but I think getting enough CO2 in a 55 gallon tank with that system would be difficult. Again though, I can't be 100% sure. I'm sure someone else will be along to confirm or negate my belief on this.

[cocoa_pleco]

i ran the nutrafin CO2 when my 55g was planted and it did its job. however, im sure 2 systems, one on the left side and one on the right, would be best

[themusician]

I just bought one of those a few weeks ago and the box said it was good for tanks up to 20 gallons.

[gm72]

i ran the nutrafin CO2 when my 55g was planted and it did its job. however, im sure 2 systems, one on the left side and one on the right, would be best

Good to know, and good idea about the dual systems.