Lights for a 55 gallon

I'm planning on upgrading tanks soon to a 55 gallon from a 35 and was wondering what types of lights would best be able to grow plants even high light plants eventually. I don't want to make the same mistake I made for my current tank and by a bunch of plants and not have my light be able to support them. Any suggestions, ideas and links are much appreciated

 

Quick question, have you looked at CO2 injection systems? High light plants demand it over liquid carbon and it keeps algae at bay.

For high light, you're looking at a pretty penny. I've seen Build My LED recommended for high light setups, but I'm sure there are options out there. I've been looking at low-medium/medium, but I have strange plans for mine.

 

Yeah I've looked into the Co2 injection systems, most likely going to make a simple DIY one! And it's more so that I want the ability to grow high plants if I chose and also so I know without a doubt my medium plants are getting enough light as well. What light are you currently using and what plants are you growing?

 

Funny you should ask that. I'm amidst research and still in the process of choosing exactly what I want. I've been reading up on plant needs and piecing the fundamentals together. There's so many options for a planted setup it's rather dizzying. Sorry I can't quite give a sample setup

I'm saving money to build a 65 gal and going all in, so I have some time yet.

My needs are going to be based more on my inserts I'm going to make. I plan on using a CO2 system with manufactured regulator and bottle. I've read quite a few stories of very touchy and easily out of tune DIY, but there's quite a few successes out there so don't let me discourage you.

Current plan is a Finnex Planted Plus for a 65 gallon, but I'm not planting everything at the substrate, so I'm quite fine with the low PAR values at that depth since I will have elevated planter boxes to break up the height of the tank.

 

I saw on another form that the Finnex Planted Plus had an extremely high Par at the substrate and was even considering purchasing one for my 55, is this not the case?? My plan is I'm going to try the DIY Co2 for a while and if I notice any ill effects or simply it's not working I will make the conversion to a little bit more pricier setup if that's what it takes.

 

What was the depth of the substrate and which planted plus(48", 36", 20")?

2" can make a difference in depth. The 65 I'm looking at is 24" tall (I think) while the standard 55 is only 18", so my PAR at substrate will differ a lot with 6".

 

For high light, you're looking at a pretty penny. I've seen Build My LED recommended for high light setups.

Sadly, Build My LED only makes horticultural fixtures now. The Aquatic line has been discontinued.

 

A Planted Plus should give you in low/medium light in a 55 gal tank. I have a 48" on my 55 gal, and I can grow many medium light plants.

For a high light setup, I don't think DIY CO2 will cut it. I'd stick with a low or medium light setup with that. You can still grow many plants.

 

Andrew - Current-USA manufactures the Current Satellite Freshwater LED Plus Pro and the PAR from what I remember is pretty good. For your tank they are around $280.

 

I was looking at the 48" planted plus, for a tank that's 20" tall. And TexasDomer would recommend the planted plus then, if I can grow medium light plants I'll be happy with it. And I actually have a Current brand Led right now, but it's a pretty basic one. The price on the currents is what throws me off the most, the same length for a Finnex is around $130 so if the Finnex can do what I need it to I'm most likely going to go with that!

 

Texas is correct, you will want to look into a pressurized CO2 system with the Current Pro.

Edit: Finnex lights are good...I have Finnex on one of mine.

 

Sadly, Build My LED only makes horticultural fixtures now. The Aquatic line has been discontinued.

Wow. Didn't know that. I haven't really paid attention to the dates of posts or looked further into BML, just sticker shocked and no need for that much light for me.

Would adding a second planted plus increase par rating at the substrate? If so, how much?

Just thinking it might be an option to upgrade into over time to lessen the financial blow.

AndrewJ54 - I've been looking into some cheap CO2 systems myself. I've priced it out around $150 plus what I choose for the CO2 canister. Includes solenoid, regulator, bubble counter, needle valve, and diffuser/reactor/atomizer.

 

That's not too bad, I could start off with the Finnex lighting grow medium plants and eventually add a stronger light with C02. Do you mind linking me everything you've found for the setup??

 

That's not too bad, I could start off with the Finnex lighting grow medium plants and eventually add a stronger light with C02. Do you mind linking me everything you've found for the setup??

I would, but my browsing history is a mess and I've been doing most of my research on my phone. I'll work on finding everything again.

The Milwaukee regulator I've looked at comes with the solenoid, bubble counter, needle valve, and if course the regulator. The issue people have with them is the needle valve doesn't stay put, but upgrading it with a high quality needle solves the issue for posts I've read that have done this.

The reactor I plan on using is an inline for a canister setup, so it may not be what you're needing in particular.

Edit: I couldn't find the needle valve I found before , but maybe another member could help, or offer different input. This is just what I've been looking at for me.

 

It's a start!! Thank you everyone!

 

It's a start!! Thank you everyone!

No problem. Glad to help

 

Would adding a second planted plus increase par rating at the substrate? If so, how much?

I am thinking 2 fixtures to be medium-high to high light.
I did find some PAR data on the Planted Plus though, it appears to have 68 PAR dead center at 18 inches deep. At 6 inches off center the PAR is about 22.5 PAR. A 55 is about 13 inches deep, so 1 fixture would have basically 22.5 PAR on the extreme front and the extreme back of the tank presuming the fixture is in the middle. With 2 fixtures placed about 2-3 inches apart...well PAR is greatly increased over the whole substrate! AknickolaI posted this info using an Apogee PAR meter:

Don

 

Awesome. Andrew could upgrade lights by just adding another bar instead of replacing it

 

I definitely could

 

One more question for you guys, I found the hood that goes with my 35 gallon tank and it had a SUN-GLO 20w bulb in there. From my research this appears to be a T8, considering its sat around for a few years I was interested in replacing it with something newer and specifically for plant growth. Did you guys have any brands or ideas for what would be best for this??

 

Could we have more specifics about the light fixture in the hood?

Was it a single bulb?
Is there a wattage rating on it?

 

Single bulb and I have no idea on wattage, it is fairly old so I have no idea where the specifications are for it.

 

Usually a sticker or imprinted on it somewhere.

Single bulb with that wattage, I really doubt you'll grow anything more than low light plants.

How tall is the 35?

 

I wouldn't put a bulb in without knowing wattage specs. It should say somewhere on the hood, but if it has been rubbed off, I'd get a new light/hood. I really like the glass lids, and then you have many options for lighting.

 

19 inches tall not including substrate everything. And I put in a floramax plant growth bulb in, got it from my LFS for like 15$. I'll try it out and see how it goes, I've recently been running an led strip and that hood. I don't really have the budget to purchase a new hood because I'm purchasing everything for my 55 gallon.

 

19 inches tall not including substrate everything. And I put in a floramax plant growth bulb in, got it from my LFS for like 15$. I'll try it out and see how it goes, I've recently been running an led strip and that hood. I don't really have the budget to purchase a new hood because I'm purchasing everything for my 55 gallon.

You could always be cheap and have a local hardware store cut a piece of glass

 

You could always be cheap and have a local hardware store cut a piece of glass

I did that for both of my 10 gal tanks. For a 55 gal, I'd have them cut 4 pieces - 2 for each side of the brace, and purchase the center joints/hinges so you can fold back half of the glass lid (like the ones you can purchase).

 

19 inches tall not including substrate everything. And I put in a floramax plant growth bulb in, got it from my LFS for like 15$. I'll try it out and see how it goes, I've recently been running an led strip and that hood. I don't really have the budget to purchase a new hood because I'm purchasing everything for my 55 gallon.

I did away with a hood and glass too. I put screen on top. You can do this yourself.

 

Wouldn't the screen mess with PAR? I like the idea and considered it myself, but afraid it would block/diffuse the light

 

Wouldn't the screen mess with PAR? I like the idea and considered it myself, but afraid it would block/diffuse the light

This was another worry of mine seeing as I already don't have the best lighting wouldn't the screen or hood weaken it even more.

 

They sell these kits at Bulk Reef Supply, but you can buy window screen kits at Home Depot. I bought the netting from Bulk reef Supply and the frame from Home Depot.

Bulk Reef Supply Kit -


Clear Netting -
Home Depot -

 

I doubt a hood will, seeing the light sits underneath. A glass lid let's most of the light through and acts as a "hood"

 

No. The screen is 1/4 in mesh...better than using eggcrate.

This was another worry of mine seeing as I already don't have the best lighting wouldn't the screen or hood weaken it even more.

A finnex Planted Plus will rest on the tank frame, not the screen.

 

I was talking about for my 35, I don't have the planted plus yet that's going to go on my 55.

 

My mistake guys, I've been saying hood this entire time when what I meant was I have a glass lid over my 35 gallon tank with the led and t8 resting over the glass lid

 

You can use a glass lid, just know that you will lose some PAR. If you are not dosing pressurized CO2, that may be a good thing and not a bad thing.