Newbie Questions 29 gallon Startup

mitt123 · 04-22-2012, 07:31 PM

I currently have a standard 29 gallon tank set up with a bunch of Jack Dempsey fry that are getting sold very soon. I want to start up my first planted tank. I want to stay low-tech. I dont want to mess around with Co2 but I am up to doing ferts either using root tabs or liquid.

Currently the tank has the standard hood which has a 1 - 17 watt T8 bulb. I am thinking about retro fitting a light from Home Depot or Menards with either a double T5 14 watt bulbs or adding a 24 watt High output T5 bulb to my existing T8. What is everyone suggestions? Do the specialty bulbs from LFS or petco/petsmart make a difference. I almost bought a special T8 bulb that said it was 5500K and was good for growing plants.

Also suggestions on plants to get with either of the light set-ups suggested?

Any suggestions and help would be appreciated. I have done alot of reading but still not sure what to do about my lighting situation. From what I have read I need more light and just the standard 17 watt T8 would not be sufficient for alot of plants only a few different species.

**Aquatic Delight** · 04-22-2012, 08:08 PM

it really depends on what you want to do with your tank. i have a tank with the standard light fixture and 20watt bulb that runs 9hrs a day on a 10 gal tank and plants grow fine.

i also have a T5NO running 11-14hrs a day, plus root tabs, on a 29gal and the plants in there do just fine.

and then i have a 10 gal tank with with 2 CFLs at 20watts each that runs about 10hrs a day

do you want to go with high light, low light, or something in between? if you can give some idea of what direction you want to go we can help you get just what you need.

mitt123 · 04-22-2012, 09:31 PM

Well I am thinking about getting a 24 watt T5 HO fixture that holds one bulb and using my existing 17watt T8 fixture also.

I want to stick with low to moderate light plants probably. I just plants that are easy to care for and I dont need to spend alot of money on higher lighting for them to thrive.

04-22-2012, 07:31 PM	#1
mitt123 Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 4	Newbie Questions 29 gallon Startup I currently have a standard 29 gallon tank set up with a bunch of Jack Dempsey fry that are getting sold very soon. I want to start up my first planted tank. I want to stay low-tech. I dont want to mess around with Co2 but I am up to doing ferts either using root tabs or liquid. Currently the tank has the standard hood which has a 1 - 17 watt T8 bulb. I am thinking about retro fitting a light from Home Depot or Menards with either a double T5 14 watt bulbs or adding a 24 watt High output T5 bulb to my existing T8. What is everyone suggestions? Do the specialty bulbs from LFS or petco/petsmart make a difference. I almost bought a special T8 bulb that said it was 5500K and was good for growing plants. Also suggestions on plants to get with either of the light set-ups suggested? Any suggestions and help would be appreciated. I have done alot of reading but still not sure what to do about my lighting situation. From what I have read I need more light and just the standard 17 watt T8 would not be sufficient for alot of plants only a few different species.

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04-22-2012, 08:08 PM	#2
Aquatic Delight H is for Hillstream (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 1,329	it really depends on what you want to do with your tank. i have a tank with the standard light fixture and 20watt bulb that runs 9hrs a day on a 10 gal tank and plants grow fine. i also have a T5NO running 11-14hrs a day, plus root tabs, on a 29gal and the plants in there do just fine. and then i have a 10 gal tank with with 2 CFLs at 20watts each that runs about 10hrs a day do you want to go with high light, low light, or something in between? if you can give some idea of what direction you want to go we can help you get just what you need.

04-22-2012, 09:31 PM	#3
mitt123 Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 4	Well I am thinking about getting a 24 watt T5 HO fixture that holds one bulb and using my existing 17watt T8 fixture also. I want to stick with low to moderate light plants probably. I just plants that are easy to care for and I dont need to spend alot of money on higher lighting for them to thrive.