Lighting ?'s or advice?

[Bamabruiser]

I need some advice/help from you plant experts. I've got a 55 gal tank (48" long) with plants that I've had for about a month and a half. The strip light that came with the tank setup is a single, 32w flourescent bulb. I'm pretty sure that this is not even close to enough light output for a planted tank. I've also just started adding CO2 injections (Hagen system) for my plants. But I fear that it will be useless without enough light for the plants.

Is there a standard or recommended amount of light for a tank this size? Also, if I need to add more, I will...but my budget is a little tight right now. I know there is a DIY lighting setup...but I'm not very mechanically/electrically (?) inclined. Does anyone know of a link or have suggestions for an easy setup (i.e. DIY lighting for dummies)?

Finally, I almost purchased a 3-strip light fixture online last night from Drs. Fosters and Smith for $90+. The 48" light bulbs in this fixture were T8's with 40w's per bulb. I really hate to do this since I already have a light strip (although it is not meeting my tank needs), but if I have to, I will. Would this be a good investment or does anyone know of a better idea or a better/brighter bulb that will meet my needs?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[bigfoot150]

I can tell you right now that with a 55gallon being as big as it is one strip light isn't going to help you much. Also as you mentioned the addition of CO2 is not going to help your plants all the much. It will help maybe alittle but not much overall.

The general rule for lighting is 3wpg. If you can meet or exceed this you are doing good. So in your case you want to aim for 150-165 watts of lighting.

Now here is what you can do based on what you have just posted:

1. Go ahead and get the 3 tube strip for $90.
Pro's: Assuming that you current strip has a 32watt bulb and the 3 tube strip will have 3x 40watt bulbs then you will have 152watts of lighting. This will be plenty for a planted setup.
Con's: You will need to replace the bulbs every six or seven months because the phosphors in the tubes will not give off strong enough light in the important spectrums(red and blue). This setup will definately be costly in the long run but somewhat cheaper in the short term when compared to your next option which is....

2. Compact fluorescents. For your tank your best and cheapest bet would be to purchase a 2x 96w CF kit from AHSupply.com . Currently I am showing this kit to be $114.99 without the bulbs.
Pro's: Very bright and the bulbs last alot longer from what I hear. IME the plants love the light put out by these bulbs. Also cheaper in the long run.
Con's: Intial cost is more expensive than the $90 strip light and might be prohibitive. The kit is also a retro fit kit so you will need something to mount the bulbs in and will need to purchase the bulbs aswell(can be bought with kit to save on shipping).

3. Compact fluorescent setup 2. Someone on here(either avalon or gomer) had an excellent CF setup using spiral CF bulbs that can be purchased at homedepot or a local builders supply store. Bagodoughnuts has a good article in the DIY section also describing how to retro fit a light strip in a similar manner.
Pro's: Cheapest overall solution. Provides as much light as CF setup above.
Con's: Will require some leg work. You will have to put everything together and will also need something to mount the bulbs in.

4. Do nothing at all.
Pro's: costs you nothing
Con's: Not really and option at all

Hope this helps. Oh and wiring the AHsupply kit is very easy.

 

[Bamabruiser]

Thanks Bigfoot! I'm not sure which direction I'll go, but I'll let you know how it worked out.

I'm seriously considering calling that AHSupply company and getting some ideas/advice on one of their kits. Man, I didn't want to spend that much money...but hey...no one said this was a cheap hobby, right?

BTW, how did you come up with the 152 watts for a 3x40w fixture? Frankly, I know very little about electricity (other than don't stick anything metal in a plug), but it would seem that 40 watts x 3 bulbs would be 120 watts. For a 55g tank, that would be ~ 2 watts/gal. Is there something that I'm missing or not accounting for?

 

[bigfoot150]

Well you would probably have enough room for your currrent strip too. So 120 + 32 = 152watts. Of course, if it didn't fit then you will only have the 120watts. Still enough to get by and your plants will definately benefit, but I say if your gonna upgrade go all the way. Save up some cash if you dn't have it now. You definately won't be disappointed with one of the AHsupply kits. If you need help hooking it up, then just ask the forum.