chipster55

I have just reset up a 55 gallon tank 48 x 13 x 24 (actually had to by new tank because support brace broke on other one). This was an established tank for about 3 years with perfect water conditions. I decided to go to a planted tank this time. since I have to redo everything. I put the eco substrate along with some very fine black gravel. I have kept the same cannister filter (marineland c-220) and immediately hooked it up to new tank so bacteria should be quickly restored. I also put about a pound of old gravel in a mesh bag to help with cycle immediately. I am hoping the tank will cycle quickly. I have the lights that came with aquarium so I am sure I must upgrade. Sorry I don't have their specs at this time, but they are definitley basic lights sold with an aquarium kit so I doubt they will be to much benefit for my endeavor. My questions are these:

1. I added gravel and eco substrate today and plan on adding plants tomorrow. They are low light plants. I don't know all the names of them but were recommended by a very knowledge individual. Will plants will be OK with a tank that is recycling using strictly R/O water?

2. I am going to order different lights and have gotten so many suggestions on what is workable that is somewhat confusing. I don't plan to get to exoctic at first so I am looking for decent lights that will work for current situation as well as have a little extra umph if i do add some plants requiring stronger light later. I would like to know what good quality lights would work here. How many watts good brand names and so on.

3. I don't plan on adding any fish until water quality is where it needs to be. I do have an R/O system as I mentioned above, and was told that i could add just R/O water at the beginning. I will then add some tap water to create an acceptable TDS reading when fish are added. Is there anything wrong with this approach.

I realize that there are questions outside the lighting issue but I mainly need to know about the lights. If anyone else can help me with other questions it would be appreciated. I am ready to get these lights ordered as so as I can get some input here.

Thanks

Enigmma

Heh,

I have been researching this for many many hours now, and this is what I have found. There are very few options.

If you have a hood like mine that is made of 2 x 24" inch hoods, the bulbs themselves are 18". The only bulbs I found this size that are strong enough are these: [18" (VHO, T12 10,000K Aquasun, 30W-UV). Here is a link:

http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp...S&Category=494

With these you don't need any CO2 for low light plants, and it will give you the required wattage per gallon.

There are stronger ones, but if you don't want to get into adding CO2 these are the only ones I found that fit the bill.

chipster55

Thanks..Sounds like you did as much research as me with a little more success.

Fla_Larry

+1