Lighting Question

[rommel39]

Hey, setting up my 75 gallon tank (48 inch) that I bought second hand and I need to replace the lighting on it. I plan to grow plants later on, currently all I have are a few Java Ferns. Anyhow, I was looking around online for a new lighting strip and discovered the following double light strip for $123.99 at PetSmart.com. My question is, is this a good deal or should I look somewhere else?

Thanks in advance

PetSmart - Compact Fluorescent Strip Lights

 

[Lotus]

I prefer the Coralife strips. They have a nicer quality, and I see Drs. Foster Smith have them cheaper, too. The one you linked to has a saltwater bulb, that you'd need to change out, which is another $25 or $30. Somehow those All-Glass ones always remind me of the cheapo lights that come on the standard kits.

Compact Fluorescent Aquarium Lighting: Coralife Aqualight Single Compact Fluorescent Strip Lights

 

[rommel39]

I picked up the light strip from Drs. Foster Smith and it seems to be working out very nicely. Thanks for the tip.

Any advice about picking up a new hood for the 75 gallon tank? The "hood" that I have right now is just two slabs of glass that don't cover the tank very well and is not very user friendly. The All-Glass Versa-Tops that I was looking at on Drs. Foster's need a center brace which I don't have (I also checked out the PetSmart near my apartment and they don't have anything that would fit my tank). Is the center brace something that I could pick up in a hardware store or other options?

 

[Lotus]

The Versa Tops don't need a whole lot of support in the middle. You could probably silicone on a strip of glass, plastic or metal in the center of the tank. One of our tanks has a double layer of glass, about 10" wide as the center brace.

Was the center brace removed? Most tanks that size have one.

 

[rommel39]

I bought the tank second hand, the guy who had it before me had a lot of stuff getto rigged, so I'm not sure what happened to the center brace. So, I'm guessing maybe I could go ahead and order the versa-tops and see about getting something from the hardware store as a center brace. Do you think that would be okay?

 

[Lotus]

I think it will be fine. Just make sure that whatever you use for the center brace, that its more or less flush with the bottom lip of the trim, so that the versa tops will sit flat. It's probably not a big deal, but it will make it nicer.

 

[rommel39]

I could have the glass strips I am using now cut to a length and sit the versa-tops on that.

 

[rommel39]

Thanks for the help Lotus!!!

 

[rommel39]

Quick question, looking to replace the light in my planted 75 gallon tank and was wondering which light would be best to get for plant growth?

 

[rommel39]

So of the 21" lights available which ones would be best for plant growth? thanks...

Available in 18 watt - 9" 50/50 bulbs, which fits 6 gallon Nano Cubes, 24 watt - 13" 10,000°K, and 50/50 bulbs, which fits 12 gallon Nano Cubes, and 55 watt - 21" 10,000°K, 6700°K, 50/50, and Actinic bulbs or 65 watt – 21" 10,000°K, 50/50, or Actinic bulbs for 24" Compact Fluorescent Light Fixtures .