Alessa

As I should be getting a 55 gallon... and I want to plant it, I'd like to know the following from the plant gurus:

1) what would be a good lighting system to provide 2wpg? (feel free to post links!

2) Wouldnt It be the same thing to have two desktop lamps with regular full spectrum bulbs and 55watts of light output pointing directly at the aquarium?

Ideas welcome!

soldieroffortune1974

This might help: http://www.aquarium-lighting-guide.com/

Flourescent light fixtures for the 55 gallon use bulbs that are 48" and have different diameters.Tubes of the same length may not be the same diamter. Most aquarium light fixtures acccept T8, T10, and T12 tubes, but it is wise to verify which sizes your light fixture accepts before purchasing a bulb. You can usually determine the diameter of a tube by checking the codes printed on it.

The best flourescent tubes to use are "GroLux" T12 wide spectrum 40 watt bulbs.

The T refers to the amount of watts min/max the fixture is rated for.
T8 = 15 watts
T10= 16-20 watts
T12 = 20-40 watts

Most hoods only have the capacity to hold 1 or 2 bulbs. So you might need an extra fixture.At 2 watts/gallon in a 55 gallon aquarium that's 110 watts,a bit much and not really needed if you get the right bulbs. The grolux are the ones I use,and work great. You can get them up to 40 watts,if your fixture is rated that high. I have 2 40 watt bulbs on my panted 55 gallon and they do excellent for the plant growth.

The type of lighting will also depend on what types of plants you want to get. Slow growing plants,generally don't need as much light,and just the opposite is true.Fast growing plants need more light.

I don't think the desk lamps have the same effect as the light fixture sitting directly over/on the hood.

If you need to know something else,I will be around.Hopefully you get the 55 gallon

Butterfly

yep the light dispersion would not be as even as it would be for a regular tank light.
www.plantgeek.net has a good lighting section in their forums.
carol