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Lighting question.

2K views 9 replies 6 participants last post by  patadams66 
#1 ·
so im looking at big als

are these the kind of lighting fixtures im looking for im planting a 55g

Dual Lamp T5HO Light Fixtures

i currently have two 1 tube hood lights and if i understand correctly its better to have 1 dual tube lights?

AHHH MY BRAIN IS SET TO EXPLODE
 
#2 ·
it will still be 2 light tubes right don't be 2 hard on yourself.getting the right tube is the important part not whether it a single or double fitting fixture
 
#3 ·
I have that exact fixture. There is no better option or less better option, as long as the spectrum is right. However, I've found my dual t5HO's to put out more light than the single tube fixture that came with my tank. It really depends on the plants you want to keep, higher light requirement plants will benefit from the t5's.
 
#8 ·
How about grabbing a couple shop lights, slapping in some T8 tubes of the right spectrum and calling it a day at under $50 total. That's what I did and as long as you don't have really high light demanding plants, that setup will give you plenty of light.
 
#9 ·
Lighting Question

The tank I am getting measures 48" L x 13" W x 20" H

This may be a stupid question but I really do not understand this.

I assume that I need a 48" light to run across my tank. Is this not correct? How can I use a 36" light much les anything smaller then 48" ? Won't the light just fall into the tank?

I also see that some light fixtures have adjustable legs to mount the lights, do all of the light fixtures come with this feature?

Can you point me in the right direction? I am going to get a few plants but they will be easy to care for plants. I also live in Hawaii where sun is abundant and I can just leave my window open to get some sunlight. The lighting would be primarily for at night when I want to look at the fish when I come home from work.

Could you give me some links to some of the better quality lights? I'm looking in the $100-$150 range.

Aloha
 
#10 ·
The tank I am getting measures 48" L x 13" W x 20" H

This may be a stupid question but I really do not understand this.

I assume that I need a 48" light to run across my tank. Is this not correct? How can I use a 36" light much les anything smaller then 48" ? Won't the light just fall into the tank?

I also see that some light fixtures have adjustable legs to mount the lights, do all of the light fixtures come with this feature?

Can you point me in the right direction? I am going to get a few plants but they will be easy to care for plants. I also live in Hawaii where sun is abundant and I can just leave my window open to get some sunlight. The lighting would be primarily for at night when I want to look at the fish when I come home from work.

Could you give me some links to some of the better quality lights? I'm looking in the $100-$150 range.

Aloha
you could use smaller lights by setting them on the tank cover.

i personally just bought a 48 inch shop light from home depot. it was less than 20$

if you dont need the light for plants or anything you could easily get a glass tank cover and put some smaller lights on top just for viewing purposes.
 
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