2 or 4 55 watt pcs over 48 gallon?

[chuukus]

can someone give me some advice on lighting my tank its 36 by 18 by 15 tall? I was wondering should i build the hood with all 4 55 ah supply power compacts and run 2 most of the time and run the other 2 for a noon burst? Or should i just put 2 of them in the hood and call it good?

[chuukus]

I will bet trying to grow lots of high light plants and will be using pressurized co2 and also dosing exel. i will be using pfertz if that helps at all .This is my first ever attemp at a planted tank. This is my first time posting on this site so if this is a stupid question let me know. i have looked for a post simular to this but diddnt find anything. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[epicfish]

Get a T5 setup with individual reflectors, ie: Tek, Catalina Aquarium, Current USA Nova Extreme (make sure it has individual reflectors, Current USA Sundial.

Since you don't have any equipment yet, T5HO will be the way to go. Get a 4x39W setup with two switches and you'll be set. Run two bulbs most of the day and the other two for a high-light burst.

[chuukus]

I do have most of the equipment i think i need. I already bought a 4 55 watt bright kit from ah supply and i have a sumo contollable regulator with swagelock metering valve. ill be using a 5 lb co2 tank. my filter will be 2 marineland c 220 canister filters one will have an inline co2 reactor like rexx riggs what im wondering is will the 4 55 watt power compacts be too much or maybe i can runn just 2 55s or 3 55s. this is my first time setting up a plant tank and i dont want a huge alge bloom. ohh my substrate is eco complete and flourite black sand.

[chuukus]

should i not use the power compacts and just go buy a 4 39 watt t5ho retrokit? I like the ice cap retro kits but i had already built my canopy and bought the ah supply retro kit.

[epicfish]

Oh. Power compacts are less efficient than T5s, that's why I recommended you to get the T5s.

Same advice as the T5s when running the PCs.

[chuukus]

thanks a lot for the help im gonna take your advice and switch this out with the T5HO ill just keep the PCs for another project. I really appreciate the info.

[epicfish]

Originally Posted by chuukus

thanks a lot for the help im gonna take your advice and switch this out with the T5HO ill just keep the PCs for another project. I really appreciate the info.

If you have the PCs already, go ahead and use them. I never meant to discourage you from using them. Especially with 4x55W PC bulbs, you'll have more light than necessary to grow pretty much anything you want.

[melonz]

Don't worry chuukus, epic gives everyone a hard time lol. But go with what epic says, if he says its okay to use the pc bulbs go for it.

[chuukus]

Thank for clearing that up for me it will save me some money. Just one more question the tank is only 15" tall and theres 3 to 4 1/2 inches of sustrate in the tank how high shoud the lights be raised above the tank?

[epicfish]

Any height that looks best for you. Since it's not deep at all, especially with the substrate height, even 8-10" from the top of the tank will be fine.

[chuukus]

Thanks for all the help. Now i have a good idea on what i need to do

[Left C]

This may help you. Here's a good place to get the GE 9325K 55w straight pin PC's: http://lightbulbsdirect.com/Merchant...de=F55BX-AR-FS

This place has them too, but they recently increased the price: http://www.atlantalightbulbs.com/eca...UARIUMBULB.htm

[chuukus]

I have 4 brand new 6700k bulbs. Do u reccomend using all 4 9325k or 2 6700k and 29325k? That is quite a bit cheaper than i payed for my bulbs so im gonna get at least 4 of them then I can have 4 spare bulbs if one goes bad

[confuted]

All it really changes is the color of the light. Use what looks best.