[randomriter]

So my 55 gallon tank came with an seventeen-year-old 48" compact lighting fixture made by a now bankrupt company. It worked fine for the first month until one side went out, and since then there has just been problem after problem. Currently the opposite side is out and the side that wasn't working is will now turn on but starts to flicker after the first hour. I'm rather done with this lighting fixture, but I have live plants that need light and that I would like to grow.

I have a $200 budget to buy a new light, and am looking into LED even though I have 3 functioning 21" bulbs, because it looks like it may be cheaper in the long run. What do you think? Are there any particular brands I should avoid or go after? Has anyone ever heard of Innovative Marine?

My plants are:
Anubias
Brazilian Pennywort
Ludwigia
Dwarf Amazon Sword
Grass (that's what the people at the aquarium store called it, and it seems to do fine no matter how much light it gets)

 

[JDM]

A $200 budget might not cover a really good light but Marineland have a decent line that is worth a look, Doublebright. Im using it on my tank and have low to medium light plants that are doing well. They have a better plant system but the price goes up quickly.

Jeff

 

[randomriter]

I realize that the $200 might not work, but I'm doing this for my school and that's the money they've agreed to give me for this. I'm probably going to try to do some fundraising, but I'd prefer to stay as close to the $200 as possible.

 

[OSagent23]

Hey bud,

You can by a great light for $200.00. The finnex ray 2 LED HO light it's dual 7,000k and it cost $178.80 after taxes. It stretches 48" across so it should cover the whole tank. I have one on my 75 gallon. It's an amazing light.