Will these lights be okay?

**MandyK** · 07-04-2012, 07:59 PM

So my husband is making me a new stand and hood for my 55g. It was recommended that I upgrade my lighting, and I was wondering if this would be okay.

There will be two of these bulbs, and they are 40w a piece. This is in contrast to my two current 8w bulbs.

Do I need to worry about condensation forming on the bulbs?
Will these be too strong for my fish?
General opinions would also be appreciated.

**MandyK** · 07-04-2012, 09:42 PM

Anybody know?

**dbosman** · 07-05-2012, 01:15 AM

3:59 PM to 5:42 PM isn't long. ;-)
For a 55g tank, T12 lights, which is what you have can work. Ideally four of them. Unless you have an old bulb\lamp\tube that is a 32 watt lamp not 40, by the way. The 40 watt lamps were legislated out some years ago.

Two of the narrow (four to six inches wide) shop light fixtures will fit over a 55g tank.

If you'd like better lighting, check out your local hydroponics shop for T5HO strip lights and reflectors. One strip with the very decent hydroponics shop reflector would be fine for low to medium light plants. Two would be high light and probably require a fertilizer regime and pressurized CO2.

**MandyK** · 07-05-2012, 01:29 AM

Lol, when you're patiently waiting for an answer for almost 2 hours on a forum this active, I personally tend to be a little discouraged.

The bulbs say 40watts on them so I'm guessing that's what they are.

I have a hanging shoplight fixture that holds two bulbs, I just took that bulb out for the pic.

I'm just worried about these bulbs that I already have (cheap route) possibly being too much, or anything else that might be bad for the tank.

My plants that I currently have are doing really well, so I'm not completely sure if I should go through the trouble of upgrading at all. I'd just like to get the general consensus before I make any decisions. I def don't want to make things more complicated than they have to be.

**Lady10Godiva** · 07-05-2012, 03:24 AM

Do you know the k value for the bulbs? Also if you plan to hang the fixture the distance to the bottom of the tank will make a difference. You would likely have to use glass tops with those since there is no splash shield to protect the bulbs.

**MandyK** · 07-05-2012, 01:54 PM

No I don't. Where can I find the K value? I currently have glass tops that cover half of the tank surface that I was planning to use. The bulbs will be hung towards the back side, and that is what the glass covers. Would that be sufficient?

**Lady10Godiva** · 07-05-2012, 03:46 PM

The k value might be on the box or on the lamp next to the watts. If the bulb just had a name you could look on the manufacturer website to see if they list it there.

I guess it depends on how much splash you have. I am getting away from lamps without splash guards so I dont know the answer.

**dbosman** · 07-06-2012, 01:20 AM

Use what you have, see how it goes, and move on.
If you need more or better or different, later, you can work with your budget and the information we've given and more you'll pick up over time.

**MandyK** · 07-06-2012, 02:14 AM

I suppose. I would generally like to do it right the first time though.

**Strider199** · 07-06-2012, 02:21 AM

Originally Posted by MandyK

I suppose. I would generally like to do it right the first time though.

That would be ideal.

I have gone through three different lighting systems on my 55 gallon tank to get to the point where I am happy with the lighting of the tank, the growth of my plant, and the colour of my stock.

I wish there was a definite answer to which light pattern is perfect for a specific tank but I did not find it.
As dbosman said, trial and error work. I know it takes up your time and costs a bit when your not happy with the results but it is a hobby.
To each their own. Thats my mantra. Sorry MandyK.