75 Gallon Tank Lighting options for new 75 gal

[Maya Boone]

Currently working on setting up a 75 gallon tank (standard dimensions, 48x18x24) and I'm wondering about recommendations for a hanging light setup. The tank is going to be planted with low- to medium-light plants: crypts, swords, java fern, etc.

However, I am also planning to go for a more natural look by having some house plants growing immersed in the tank. I have a peace lily in my current 15 gal that will be moved to the new tank, and am also going to get some pothos and philodendrons.

Wondering if anyone has recommendations for a light/lights that I could hang ABOVE the tank so as to get light to both the aquarium and the plants growing out of it. There's a north-facing window near the tank so there isn't a lot of direct sunlight, and I want to try and kill two birds with one stone as far as my lighting setup goes.

Thanks!

 

[ShaneInTOR]

Im not sure how much you’re looking to spend but you can get really great led spot lights from reef supply stores if you want the different colours, online or in person and they look awesome.
Amazon has spot lights as well and I see lots of people using 2 individual lights to light a tank as long as 4 foot and I’m almost a bigger fan of those. You could most likely find hanging kits for these as well if it didn’t come with something.
https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Security-Daylight-Floodlight-Spotlight/dp/B089D1NPF4

 

[Fishfur]

There are a lot more options for indoor plant lighting than there used to be - some a bit utilitarian, others sleeker and more sophisticated.

On the lower cost but inelegant side there are clamp lamps - can be found on Amazon & Hime Depot I think too. Most are around 8” diameter with 6’ cords - some have a much longer one. The largest ones are 10” diameter and deeper so they’ll accommodate a larger bulb.

There are small ones with deep domes - 5” or so.

They come with a scissor style clamp that allows attaching them to many things and they can be aimed as desired.

Fitted with a suitable bulb they will light a wall or corner effectively and the shades stop light from shining out the top of the fixture to blind the onlooker,

Very useful, versatile & cheap (or at least they used to be) and very durable (I have several that are over 10 years old. The aluminum shades are a bit battered looking but all are still in good working order). But they are not exactly lovely. The shades can be painted with proper priming if shiny aluminum isn’t the look you want. They make them from steel that’s powder coated or painted black (for reptile tanks) but they rust the instant there’s a scratch & typically cost more.

Link to aluminum version below.

https://www.amazon.ca/Simple-Deluxe-Brooder-Aluminum-Reflector/dp/B06XD1PK37/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1LCL2R7OJ0XHC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.DmmWgmBq1X3XBRQRmmyetuJI41AE_ThI08TYUg1ilzkzHA74T-AVqkBUWyl4uatlkMOHFVnTyG5kURsylJh5DSbOatW9rG8QejAG8O19DBFf1abunefiPoE_NdwTxH1V_YAVrQNgAunxEzL7Fzpc8AOnBQs-lNIdXyuteYr9EJhz4INowkGZNz_QrpA9pG2ktiae1hakQE8UnOn9F9dzeQ.3yQBCn-isar_6mwmTm5Z82Uo5q4xgMDNhveLHC8aNZA&dib_tag=se&keywords=utility+clamp+lamp&qid=1727563429&sprefix=ulility+clamp+lamp,aps,105&sr=8-3

I used to use these with CFL bulbs over all my tanks once upon a time, as they were the cheapest option. They are pretty versatile but not beautiful.

All sorts of LED options exist but how durable they are is impossible to say. Most are quite cheaply made which leads me to suspect they are unlikely to last all that long.

Like the ones linked below - a clamp on design.

https://www.amazon.ca/Sondiko-Dimmable-Spectrum-Adjustable-Gooseneck/dp/B08JPB8F69/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=3RPO2O026KE06&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-oOZkdIGZ7RG4qqsWWnvAdRWKtF0gTEmXxhJ-3IlWv4RlNQRvxec4pa9IQG4AWhx4oRyAh7WTCmqXgGKg5GAg9hZJ_eIazFb_c7rMVrdTpGsS1oB5UBnXkG-AmozEbeehB5CMmRau0yqJTqVz2P0UhvnlHYL7PiI-SbN8eoSUYXgtan6FgPRx0GZTZPqVQ3zGI3WiJwBgHoPcpzUHVnH4A.j2cuZgJKTE9hJqdWkzp8LRlv85yBEamcw4mA4T8Y_aw&dib_tag=se&keywords=clamp+on+grow+light&qid=1727564525&sprefix=clamp+on+grow+light,aps,117&sr=8-4

Or these.

https://www.amazon.ca/LBW-Tri-Head-Spectrum-Dimmable-Adjustable/dp/B09ZNX2NDB/ref=mp_s_a_1_16?crid=ADXERPGT9CUL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-oOZkdIGZ7RG4qqsWWnvAQz0dE69H1KoV-M9MvumofLPoPsl-j47p-wOdb94tWoXFnL4YTnYdxTkaUAMZ4HcP0RbpqMHW6nZ9regiu3NlndC0JBvV7mk-kkQjAKcZHxXeBPeymtpvUHIbdHUHENkIAYUXqysSib3Tx6MAad53lorgwl0k3R8ya6gy6XIrafByds_sUjcQ6XegegQdj2Dag.iZYAiFdk1pxQxe7MwU5xzj1bKkNXO38Q5tO2lqiBtlU&dib_tag=se&keywords=grow+light+for+houseplant&qid=1727563630&sprefix=grow+light+fir+houseplant,aps,112&sr=8-16


Or possibly something like these - which need a socket that’s either hard wired or on a cord with a plug. Very bright - maybe too bright, but 6500K will grow just about anything. Can be aimed due to the folding feature plus how they are placed.

I was thinking to use them in my spare room or perhaps mounted in a vented canopy over glass, for a very large tank one day


https://www.amazon.ca/Deformable-LED-Garage-Light-Organization/dp/B08GKM9QMX/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=1TZGD7AE6HE3D&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3bILcw1Iln0Z-SShA8RzQLO0Gi7e67m1SwA5XdKeCq1pOAra3OpU0uHE8Stgdg5_7Yy8dK5YekKQFaIFZFKNEgd9cqIP9Wv8_9UrrkQ_Nec4LhCxzw1MMKYOK5mGbnVaJm3ah2V52zqSZ1YaeLiclT3qamws_bhNYRVXoVOJcGeC-rjhhSAmESqMufWD435K_NIhV_80JLTAMCFzn9K0SA.HIF4atqqAfOPWNHetXRIPoCNvN9o5gRn67Z1gdwL6kc&dib_tag=se&keywords=garage+folding+light&qid=1727564226&sprefix=gatage+folding+lihjt,aps,107&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

 

[Maya Boone]

Thank you both for the great options! I’ll definitely look into some of these. A lot of the designated “aquarium” lights are pricier than I was hoping to get, especially since I’m not looking to do a super high-tech tank. These seem like some great more budget-friendly options

 

[briangcc1997]

One one of my 75's I have a 4' Finnex Planted+ ALC light. Nice light, horrible customization - get the youtube vid and several adult beverages if you want to program one. On the other two 75's are 4' Fluval Aquasky 2.0. Pricey but infinitely customizable from an app on your phone. And once you do one, you can push that config direct to another.

 

[Maya Boone]

One one of my 75's I have a 4' Finnex Planted+ ALC light. Nice light, horrible customization - get the youtube vid and several adult beverages if you want to program one. On the other two 75's are 4' Fluval Aquasky 2.0. Pricey but infinitely customizable from an app on your phone. And once you do one, you can push that config direct to another.

What’s the difference between this and the Fluval 3.0? I’ve seen a lot of recommendations for the latter but the only readily apparent difference is that the 3.0 can get to a higher wattage (for like $100 more…). With the types of plants I listed, could I make do with the 2.0?

 

[ruud]

With the types of plants you listed, you very most likely don't need an aquarium light at all. I have all these species/genus growing in vases in my not particularly bright hallway and dimly lit basement. Frankly, I no longer have swords, but I also kept this species in unfiltered, unheated, unlighted vases, until they ended up in my garden's compost heap.

Most "aquarium plants" don't live a fully submersed life in their natural habitats and furthermore ferns and crypts typically also live in shaded areas.

But we however place them fully submersed and expose them to intense light. Next, we wonder why plants shed leaves, develop brown spots, or host algae.

I'm sure you do want light because it will make most tanks prettier to look at.

 

[briangcc1997]

What’s the difference between this and the Fluval 3.0? I’ve seen a lot of recommendations for the latter but the only readily apparent difference is that the 3.0 can get to a higher wattage (for like $100 more…). With the types of plants I listed, could I make do with the 2.0?

You're comparing the Aquasky 2.0 to the Plant 3.0.

Here's what I've seen first hand as I do own a Plant 3.0 sitting on my 29... The light is a bit more natural looking. That's it. And you get to pay a premium for it...think its in the neighborhood of $100 more over the Aquasky.

Beyond that...I have very very hard city water so stem plants are generally a no-go...no matter what we try. Doesn't matter how often and what we use to fertilize. Anubias, Java Fern, Val, Swords, and Crypts survive incredibly well. As long as the fish don't use the bulb as a soccer ball, Tiger Lotus does well too. Our Val is going ape in the 29. We started with 3-4 bundles and we're easily over a dozen now in the tank.

 

[Maya Boone]

You're comparing the Aquasky 2.0 to the Plant 3.0.

Here's what I've seen first hand as I do own a Plant 3.0 sitting on my 29... The light is a bit more natural looking. That's it. And you get to pay a premium for it...think its in the neighborhood of $100 more over the Aquasky.

Beyond that...I have very very hard city water so stem plants are generally a no-go...no matter what we try. Doesn't matter how often and what we use to fertilize. Anubias, Java Fern, Val, Swords, and Crypts survive incredibly well. As long as the fish don't use the bulb as a soccer ball, Tiger Lotus does well too. Our Val is going ape in the 29. We started with 3-4 bundles and we're easily over a dozen now in the tank.

Yeah, I’ve done some research on Fluval vs. other brands as well and people are always talking about how you get a “yellow tint” such and such which is a nitpick in my opinion. I’ve ruled out the much more expensive RGB lights for the same reason—I’m not looking for an ultra-perfect coloration if it means paying several hundred dollars more.

The Aquasky is looking like a good option for a mid-level price (high quality enough to not burn out, but not breaking the bank either).

I’m looking to have all the same plants you described; my only follow-up concern is whether the growth quality would diminish drastically by having the light suspended a 10-12 inches above the tank. From what I’ve seen, the Aquasky has a lot weaker light output than the Plant 3.0, and I’m wondering if this would be exacerbated if it was having to reach plants on the bottom ~32 inches away…

 

[briangcc1997]

Mine run at 50% sitting right on the tank if that's any indication. You probably need a lot less light than you think you do.

 

[Maya Boone]

Mine run at 50% sitting right on the tank if that's any indication. You probably need a lot less light than you think you do.

Excellent, that’s great to hear. I think I’m going to go with the Aquasky 2.0. Thank you so much!