This light in a 55 gallon for most plants?

btw-nc · 02-05-2013, 07:25 PM

48 INCH SOLAR T5 HO AQUARIUM LIGHT - 2 X 54 WATTS (Catalina Aquar.)

I want plants in my tank but I don't care anything about growing rare/finicky/high light requirement plants or using CO2...so I'd guess you'd say it will be low-tech. The tank is a standard 55 which is sort of tall but narrow front-to-back.

First post =

Yankee · 02-05-2013, 07:53 PM

Welcome to TPT!

This light should work for you, yet again it may be a little high for a 55gallon low tech. You might want to order it and run 1 bulb or put some window screen in front of it. See Hoppy's PAR chart, I think this fixture is on there.

hbosman · 02-05-2013, 07:58 PM

Running two bulbs without CO2 will give you algae. I have a three bulb setup from Catalina and run only two bulbs and, I have to really blast the CO2 and fertilize daily. Ask Jim to price you that fixture with two switches, one for each bulb. And ask him to substitute 6500 K bulbs for the 10000 K and actinitic. He will accomodate you. Explain its for a low tech planted tank, he'll know what you are talking about.

btw-nc · 02-05-2013, 08:15 PM

Fine business, thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hbosman

Running two bulbs without CO2 will give you algae. I have a three bulb setup from Catalina and run only two bulbs and, I have to really blast the CO2 and fertilize daily. Ask Jim to price you that fixture with two switches, one for each bulb. And ask him to substitute 6500 K bulbs for the 10000 K and actinitic. He will accomodate you. Explain its for a low tech planted tank, he'll know what you are talking about.

02-05-2013, 07:25 PM	#1
btw-nc Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: NC/USA Posts: 4	This light in a 55 gallon for most plants? 48 INCH SOLAR T5 HO AQUARIUM LIGHT - 2 X 54 WATTS (Catalina Aquar.) I want plants in my tank but I don't care anything about growing rare/finicky/high light requirement plants or using CO2...so I'd guess you'd say it will be low-tech. The tank is a standard 55 which is sort of tall but narrow front-to-back. First post =

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02-05-2013, 07:53 PM	#2
Yankee Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Oregon Posts: 235	Welcome to TPT! This light should work for you, yet again it may be a little high for a 55gallon low tech. You might want to order it and run 1 bulb or put some window screen in front of it. See Hoppy's PAR chart, I think this fixture is on there.

02-05-2013, 07:58 PM	#3
hbosman Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Leesburg Virginia Posts: 1,584	Running two bulbs without CO2 will give you algae. I have a three bulb setup from Catalina and run only two bulbs and, I have to really blast the CO2 and fertilize daily. Ask Jim to price you that fixture with two switches, one for each bulb. And ask him to substitute 6500 K bulbs for the 10000 K and actinitic. He will accomodate you. Explain its for a low tech planted tank, he'll know what you are talking about.