Light Req for 55g

[sharp019]

Hi, I recently just bought a 55g tank and decided i want it to be heavily planted like my 20 long is. I know the outdated rule is like 3-4 watts per gallon. I was currently thinking of getting http://www.marineandreef.com/Freshwater_Aqualight_2X65_Watt_48_inch_Coralife_p/res53018.htm for the tank but then I ran into a website (http://americanaquariumproducts.com/PowerCompact.html) talking about Super High Output CFLs. I was wondering which light I should get. I plan on growing dwarf baby tears micro sword and dwarf hairgrass.

[rich311k]

120 watts of T5 or CF lighting should be more than enough for just about anything.

[MCHRKiller]

Dwarf baby tears usually survives and grows slowly at around 2WPG, I probably wouldnt go over that unless you were to inject CO2 into the tank. A standard 2*65watt PC fixture is probably going to be your easiest lighting solution for the tank. Those spiral bulbs do an alright job but they are less efficient than other bulbs due to their shape..you wont get the same intensity out of them as you would with a long flat tube due to restrike. You could probably DIY some CO2 on a 55G with moderate lighting and occasional Excel dosing and have good results, you would need a couple of 3L bottles for the job tho.

[sharp019]

so should i just go with the 2x65 watt cfls from marine and reef or the spiral bulbs and go with like say 3x85 watt and pendant mount them?

[MCHRKiller]

Id go for the 3*85watt due to the light needs of the baby tears and hairgrass...it will still probably provide you with a touch more overall lighting than the 2*65watt even with the restrike. Id plant your higher light plants dead under the pendants they will take full advantage of the spotlight effect.