Adding supplementary lights to a 50g - ideas?

[jaslyman]

Hi all,

My 50g tank (36x18x18) with pressurized CO2 currently is set up with ~2.8wpg, using a Helios light fixture that houses 4 U-shaped 36W compact fluorescents. The fixture is centered over the back half of the tank, and I'm a bit worried that there is not sufficient light over the front half. Also, the fixture/ballast combination is such that I can only control all the lights together, and it would be nice to be able to stagger them somewhat.

So...I'm thinking about installing additional lighting in the front portion canopy, perhaps another 36W (would bring up to 3.6wpg) or 36Wx2 (4.3wpg). Are these amounts reasonable?

The inside length of the canopy is about 35" - it seems like it would be important to have the light stretch most of the way across. It seems like one 36W light would be enough, but I don't know if I could find any fixtures that would fit those dimensions.

I'd appreciate any thoughts out there!

[Rex Grigg]

How about an AH Supply 96 watt fixture?

[jaslyman]

Originally Posted by Rex Grigg

How about an AH Supply 96 watt fixture?

Hmm - sounds like that would fit - I was surfing around that site. It looks like the dimsions for that kit are 34.5"L x 4"W . It also appears that a 2x36W kit can be ordered in the same dimensions.

96W would bring the total wpg to about 4.8 if I'm doing the math right. Any downsides to that?

[Georgiadawgger]

Originally Posted by jaslyman

Hmm - sounds like that would fit - I was surfing around that site. It looks like the dimsions for that kit are 34.5"L x 4"W . It also appears that a 2x36W kit can be ordered in the same dimensions.

96W would bring the total wpg to about 4.8 if I'm doing the math right. Any downsides to that?

I think you should be alright. I run 4.4 at my peak hours when both of my light fixtures are on for about 8-9 hours. Other than that I do a dawn/dusk type of cycle where my front light comes on for an hour---then both--then the front light cuts off, leaving my back light on for another hour or so.

Since you have pressurized co2, the only thing you want to monitor is your nutrient levels for the plants. Once you've figured that out, you shouldn't have to worry about major algae outbreaks...on the safe side if you can afford it, invest in a uv sterilizer. I have a feeling with all the light I pump into my tank the uv sterilizer may have "prevented" massive algae outbreaks.

[jaslyman]

Originally Posted by Rex Grigg

How about an AH Supply 96 watt fixture?

Rex, I notice on your website you have some good advice on lighting. The terminology about lighting always leaves me a bit confused - strip light vs. fixture, for example... I'm assuming that if I get one of their kits (AH Supply) that it has everything I need and I can just mount the equipment directly to the inside of my canopy......sound correct to you?

Many thanks...

[Rex Grigg]

That's correct. The AH Supply kits come with everything but the tools needed to mount the kit in either a canopy or in a strip light.

BTW, a strip light is that standard fluorescent bulb in a strip that comes with most aquarium setups.

[jaslyman]

Originally Posted by Rex Grigg

That's correct. The AH Supply kits come with everything but the tools needed to mount the kit in either a canopy or in a strip light.

BTW, a strip light is that standard fluorescent bulb in a strip that comes with most aquarium setups.

Got it - thanks very much!

[jaslyman]

I think I may go ahead with adding the 96W fixture. My other 144W are all 6700k, and I'm thinking about doing 5000k for the new 96k bulb. I would use this bulb to start first and go out last, and it sounds like it might work well for morning / early evening light. Sound reasonable?