75 Gallon Lighting

**Kay3707** · 07-08-2011, 12:48 AM

Im trying to find a new light fixture for my 75 gallon tank so I can house plants that require a bit more light. My question is: is this setup to much or to little?

http://www.aquatraders.com/48-inch-4...e-p/52305p.htm

Thanks for your help

**rich311k** · 07-08-2011, 12:52 AM

That will allow you to grow many plants. I think you will want to think about pressurized CO2.

**Kay3707** · 07-08-2011, 12:58 AM

Thank you for your quick response. I have been looking into Co2, I was thinking about trying my hand at a DIY one.

**dbosman** · 07-08-2011, 01:15 AM

There are a couple of issues with a 75 gallon tank, that light fixture, and DIY CO2.

While - nominally - four T5HO tubes/bulbs/lamps is way over kill for a 75 gallon tank, that fixture has one lousy quality reflector instead of four very good reflectors so the light Might not be over kill. It is a waste of 108 watts of energy though.

Two single T5HO lamps with decent reflectors is more than enough light over a 75 gallon tank to require pressurized CO2 and a fertilizer regimen.

As to DIY CO2, you're going to be spending a lot of money on sugar, and need a couple of dozen DIY CO2 bottles to put enough carbon in a 75 gallon tank. One of the generic glutaraldehyde options such as Cidex or MetriCide would be much less expensive than sugar. Both Cidex adn MetriCide break down into bio available carbon. Buy a bottle of Seachem Excel, follow the directions on it. When it's empty, get Cidex or MetraCide in 2.X% solutions and use 40 to 60 % less than you would use for Excel.