lighting question

[dfish2077]

Hi I have a question I have a 55 gallon planted tank with 13 echinodorus and three anacharis plants. My lights are two 24" 6500 k bulbs 15 watt each. My plants seem to do well but I'm wondering if I need more watts like a custom 48" fixture with 2 48" 6500 k at around 32 watts each. Can you tell me what I should do in terms of lights. Thanks..

[Gtdad2]

If the plants are growing and there is no algae, I'd say you are pretty balanced. If you tip the scale with higher lighting, you may have to balance things again via co2 and ferts.

[BBradbury]

Originally Posted by dfish2077

Hi I have a question I have a 55 gallon planted tank with 13 echinodorus and three anacharis plants. My lights are two 24" 6500 k bulbs 15 watt each. My plants seem to do well but I'm wondering if I need more watts like a custom 48" fixture with 2 48" 6500 k at around 32 watts each. Can you tell me what I should do in terms of lights. Thanks..

Hello d...

The two separate fixtures don't provide good lighting, because you have a gap in the middle where's there's very little light. Anacharis will do fine in lower light, provided you float it close to the light source.

Your Amazon swords need stronger light. A fixture that's designed to hold two 48 inch bulbs would be a definite improvement. You could also go with two, 40 watt, T12 bulbs.

Just a suggestion, though.

B