Too much light for low tech 55g?

Oscar King · 02-06-2013, 07:01 PM

I was looking to get started with my first planted tank. I have a 55g tank and a 29g tank. The current lights that I have for the two tanks are not ideal for growing plants, so I was looking to upgrade. I was looking to save money, so I went to home depot and found this light fixture for ~$40. They also sold the bulbs I would need for this (t5 54w 6500k) for ~$10. Would this be too much light for a 55g tank?

Tank specs: 48" x 13" x 21"

micheljq · 02-06-2013, 07:40 PM

Problem with this strips is that the light will spread in the tank and beyond in the room, it can be very annoying. Nothing is stopping the spread of the light, it can hurt your eyes. I had one of those in the past.

Michel.

Oscar King · 02-06-2013, 07:47 PM

I don't mind too much if it spreads

defender.TX · 02-06-2013, 08:07 PM

It's tough to say. How high above the tank are you planning on hanging/mounting them?

Oscar King · 02-06-2013, 08:11 PM

I was planning on putting it a few inches above the glass cover

02-06-2013, 07:01 PM	#1
Oscar King Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Chicago Posts: 3	Too much light for low tech 55g? I was looking to get started with my first planted tank. I have a 55g tank and a 29g tank. The current lights that I have for the two tanks are not ideal for growing plants, so I was looking to upgrade. I was looking to save money, so I went to home depot and found this light fixture for ~$40. They also sold the bulbs I would need for this (t5 54w 6500k) for ~$10. Would this be too much light for a 55g tank? Tank specs: 48" x 13" x 21" Attached Thumbnails

02-06-2013, 07:40 PM	#2
micheljq Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Quebec Posts: 228	Problem with this strips is that the light will spread in the tank and beyond in the room, it can be very annoying. Nothing is stopping the spread of the light, it can hurt your eyes. I had one of those in the past. Michel. __________________ Newbie with plants, Quebec.

02-06-2013, 07:47 PM	#3
Oscar King Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Chicago Posts: 3	I don't mind too much if it spreads __________________ 55g-3x Arulius Barbs, 12x Tiger Barbs (Albino, Green, and Regular), 3x Pictus, 1x BN pleco 29- Empty 10g- Axolotl

02-06-2013, 08:07 PM	#4
defender.TX Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 67	It's tough to say. How high above the tank are you planning on hanging/mounting them? __________________ Planted Fluval Spec III

02-06-2013, 08:11 PM	#5
Oscar King Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Chicago Posts: 3	I was planning on putting it a few inches above the glass cover __________________ 55g-3x Arulius Barbs, 12x Tiger Barbs (Albino, Green, and Regular), 3x Pictus, 1x BN pleco 29- Empty 10g- Axolotl

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