FW lighting suggestions

[labnjab]

We are planning on planting our 55 gallon community tank, and at first were just going to do low light plants, but have decided to upgrade our lighting to give us more plant options, before actually buying plants. We don't want to get into any Co2 at the moment (maybe in the distant future) Our current lighting is a 2x40 watt t-12 shop light with ge plant aquarium bulbs. We were looking to step it up to t-5 lighting. Possibly a 4 bulb standard output fixture or a 2 bulb HO fixture. We don't want to go to crazy and only have a budget between 100-150 USD. We don't know much about freshwater lighting, but I'm sure anything would be better then what we have now. Thank you for any suggestions

[cocoa_pleco]

personally i would get 2 65w power compacts or 2 54w T5

[labnjab]

How is this one? [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[labnjab]

Also, what kind of plants would 108 watts of t-5 lighting open us up too?

[cocoa_pleco]

thats a perfect light. with a 55g and 108w of T-5 you could have low light, medium light, and some high light plants

[labnjab]

Well now the light may be put on hold. I'm gonna get it, but I pulled into our driveway and lost my trannie, not much forward and no reverse. I'll be spending the next 2 days replacing that. Luckily I'm a mechanic with access to a lift, but a used ones gonna cost close to $500

[bushwhacker]

ouch !! that hurts... sorry to hear that. on lighting i also have the 2x 54w T5 on my 55 great light and grows most everything

[labnjab]

Do you use CO2, or have any algae problems? I want to avoid co2 but have been looking into a diy fermentation setup

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Your 2x40w fixture is perfect, if you want to get a bit more light out of it then simply put a pair of T8 6500K bulbs in it. As soon as you step into the higher intensity lighting like PCs and T5s you are going to be headed to a more high tech setup. You could run yourself right into CO2 a lot sooner then you want. Personally, I wouldn't do anything at all, there's a lot to be said for staying with what you have.

[labnjab]

Is there a cheap retrofit kit to make it a t-8 fixture instead of a t-12?

[lava]

Try this site out, It might help.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Im currently trying to do this DIY project my self, but ran into a problem, I only have one strip on my fixture, and my wires are different colors! only green,white,blue and black. =( I hope theirs some electricians on this site LOL I need help........

[digital3]

I would seriously suggest you check and read around this site before moving forward...

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

I think the light you chose would be perfect for a 55, by the way! Good luck.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Is there a cheap retrofit kit to make it a t-8 fixture instead of a t-12?

T8 bulbs fit in a T12 fixture. You don't need a retrofit.

[BigMac]

To run t8 lights in a fixture for t12, you simply replace the ballast.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

You don't even need to change the ballast.

[labnjab]

Awesome, thank you for the suggestions. I'll buy some t-8 bulbs. Would adding a 2nd fixture help any without risking having to use co2?

[AABatteries]

Here's a good cheap t5, IF you want to go that way. [Only Registered Users Can See Links.] I have the 3ft fixture on my 30g, and it works great.