HELP.. Wanting to make a light/canopy 55gl

[Bellaru]

I am triing to stay cheap. but would like a medium to high powered light source. I currently have a 40w hood light that came with tank and a shop light with 2 day light 32w 6500k lights. for a total of 104w. I would like to have atleast 3-4 wpg. I was thinking of building a canopy to house 4 or so cfl's. I wasn't sure if this would be enough light? I don't know if you go by the true watt rate or what it could be 13w=60w.?? Also are shop lights ok? or safe? It is supposed to be temporary. If you have any plans or can help, thanks.

[Hoppy]

Use the actual wattage the bulbs consume, so the power saver bulbs labeled as 60 watt are really 13 watt bulbs. That helps, but don't be fooled by shooting for a specific watts per gallon number. The meaning of that number changes a huge amount depending on what kind of lights you use. T5HO bulbs, with the typical highly polished aluminum reflectors for each bulb, give far more light than T12 fluorescent shop lights, with almost no reflectors. And, power saver bulbs give much more light when mounted so they are perpendicular to the water, than when they are parallel to the water, and in either case it is less light than a straight tube with a reflector would give.

You could use a single 4 foot 54 watt T5HO light fixture to get about the amount of light you describe, but the intensity would be less near the front and back glass. Or you could raise that bulb several inches above the tank and get much more uniform intensity over the substrate, but less of it. That is what I would try.

[Bellaru]

Thanks. I was thinking of eventually getting a T5. Is there a huge difference between T5and T5HO? I saw a cheap T5 at a local pet store for about $50 but I forget what the specs were. I know it had two bulbs one white and one pink for the red hughs ,I'm guessing. I also built a 1 Gl Co2 bottle with sugar and yeast. Any suggestions bout this? Pro/Cons? It's in a 55Gl, Is this enough or even worth using? I have a medium amazon sword, lace java fern, 2 small lotus bulbs, 4 compact corymbosa, and 3 medium size Tonina Fluviatilis. Which I am learning is super hard to grow. I know it is probably a big nono but I got it from the river. I hope to add more soon. just wana make sure I have it set up rite first.