Lighting for plant growth

[AlDente67]

Hello,

I've been reading as much as I can on this topic, but questions linger.

I have a standard rectangular 55 gallon glass tank with a gravel bottom. The tank is located in a dark area, so I keep the hood light on about 12 hours per day. I cannot get plants to stay alive for more than a few weeks. Right now, I'm stocked with about 8 small bunches of sword grass (someone is eating the more lush varieties).

I was advised by the chain store employee that salt was a good idea, so I added half the dosage recommended on the salt container. The fish seemed to perk up a bit, but I've read recently that this will kill the plants, so I'll remove the salt through water changes.

I did switch the bulb the one of the expensive aquarium bulbs. But now I read that everyone generally suggests 1-2 watts per gallon, and upon closer inspection, all of the pet store bulbs are less than 35 watts (this would be the 48" size), no matter what 'intensity' they state (up to 10,000)

Can I just get a regular flourescent from Home Depot that is rated 100 watts?

[jbeining75]

Welcome to AC!!!!

You have to make sure the ballast in your light is rated for it... If it is a regular perfecto lid they are only rated to around 25 watts per 24 inch strip.... Here is a light that would be good for you if you had a glass top.....

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[AlDente67]

I'll need to check the unit when I get home later. It is a single bulb brown plastic unit that has a gap at the back to accommodate the equipment that hangs off of the rear wall.

Edit: I found a picture of it here (near the bottom)
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[AlDente67]

Here is one on ebay that might actually fit my tank:

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Looks interesting, but maybe overkill? Not too expensive.

[smaug]

that looks like a killer set of light with 216 watts on a 55 you can grow pretty much any plant you want then.It will lead you into a whole new set of challenges.At that level,fertilization becomes important,as well as some type of xtra co2.I am at that lighting level and I use seachem excel as a co2 supplement with great results.With that much light you will want to be heavily planted to stave off algae as well.Keep us posted.

[AlDente67]

Smaug, you said you use Seachem instead of a mechanical C02 pump? That would be great for me to try, as I'd rather not have to buy more equipment.

[smaug]

Smaug, you said you use Seachem instead of a mechanical C02 pump? That would be great for me to try, as I'd rather not have to buy more equipment.
yes,I use flourish excel.The only drawbacks I know of are that it killed my mossballs,and lady hobbs tells me its no good for vals.Its big pro is that it kills algae,not big time,but it stills kills it.

[AlDente67]

Ok, so if I want to go with a bulb such as this one:

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I'm going to need a hood that supports 3 or 4 bulbs in order to obtain a decent amount of watts/gallon for even 'medium' light. Is that right?

[Adrian]

Correct. You will need to upgrade, or retrofit your hood to accept those bulbs. It may be cheaper and more effiecient to just purchase a new hood already outfitted with better lighting.

Unfortuanately, some of these things are a bit pricey. Shop on ebay, and look around. Sometimes you can find some great deals. Some of the best lighting right now is T-5 high output lights, (they run cooler) but have great intensity. And PC ( Power Compact) lights. Those run hotter. You may need special fans to keep them cool.

[smaug]

not that is not the bulb you use with the fixture you posted.That fixture uses t5 HO which at 48" are 58 watts each.You can only use the t5 ho bulbs in that fixture and there would be no reason to want to use any other bulb.