[grantnielsen]

I just acquired a 55 gallon tank of craigslist sunday. I need some advice and pointers on how to set up a low tech planted tank. What lighting? Plants that would suit low lighting? I have a 29 gal high tech setup with co2 and ferts but i would like to try my hand at a low tech tank. The 55 is 48x13x21. It has 2-3 inches of sand in it. Thats it haha. I have a canister filter and glass top for it also. So obviously i need alot to get started. Thanks in advance for the advice and help

 

[Hoppy]

I'm guessing you want an inexpensive light. A two bulb T8 light fixture will give you enough light to do a low light, low tech tank. Lithonia Lighting 2-Light Flush Mount White Industrial Fluorescent Light-L 2 32 120 GESB - The Home Depot should work fine.

 

[grantnielsen]

Right on haha i have one of those in my garage collecting dust. What plants will that grow? Would i be able to take trimmings from my high tech tank and put in there? Such as ludwigia repens anacharis and bacopa caroliniana?

 

[Warhawk]

I run shop lights on my tanks and they do pretty good, just remember to change the bulbs every year.

I grow amazon swords, java fern, naja grass and others I can't recall of the top of my head, but all are lower light plants.

 

[sevendust111]

You could get 4 clip on desk lamps at walmart and put in 13 watt 6500K cfl bulbs. Would give you low light and cost about 35 bucks.

 

[Hoppy]

If you are handy in a woodshop you can easily and cheaply make a light hood, and use standard "under counter" fluorescent T8 light strips, which are dirt cheap. My first real planted tank had a light hood with 6 T8 bulbs, using end caps and clips to hold the bulbs, plus a cheap magnetic ballast. This was around 1995 or so.

 

[grantnielsen]

I am handy with wood working as i have done finish carpentry for about 12 yrs. How did you finish the underside to discourage mold or mildew from growing? Would i need 6 t8 bulbs for a low light set up or would 2 be sufficient like earlier stated?