Lighting recommendations

[thelegend0210]

I'm in the market for a new lighting fixture. Just wondering what I should be looking for? I have a 55gal tank, it's about 48" long with a variety of freshwater fish and a few plants.

Are LED's worth it? The guy at Big Al's tried to sell me on them last week.

[Darren88]

i bought an awesome T5 lighting fixture off of ebay came with bulbs for a 48 with shipping i paid 90 dollars and it works phenomenally

[fishclubgirl]

Need a bit more info here please, mainly what kind of plants???

[thelegend0210]

Umm, you got me there, I'm at work and totally can't remember what they were called. I'll look it up when I get home. Not totally sure yet that I want to do a planted tank. So I'm mainly wanting a light system for brightness and color, $200 or less range.

[fshkpr4evr]

I have a couple GLO 48" T5 HO dual light fixtures if interested. Brand new still in the box. I had full intentions of using them but never got around to it.

PM if interested.

[Marty]

If you don't plan on having plants with high light requirements I suggest you go to Home Depot and pick up a shop light fixture.

Home Depot Link

It is 48" and takes 2 bulbs. They have full spectrum T8 bulbs there also. $10 for a 2-pack.

If you plan on having more growth/plants (or plants with high light requirements) you need more wattage. I suggest the Hagen Glo T5 HO system. The fixture itself is not too bad in terms of price, but the bulbs are expenseive, especially compared to the shop light package at Home Depot.

I've heard the Coralife fixtures don't last too long because the compact ballasts are not very durable.

Unfortunately, if you want good plant growth you need to spend the money on the lights.

Edited November 1, 2010 by Marty

[jvision]

I agree with Marty - can't beet the price on a good ol' shop light. If you're at all handy, you can make a nice canopy to hide it. Or check out the buy/sell forum, eBay or other fish forums for deals on some nicer looking fixtures.

[Vallisneria]

I bought myself a new T5 fixture off www.fishneedit.com. I"m quite happy with it and it was much cheaper then I could find locally.

[Woland]

Umm, you got me there, I'm at work and totally can't remember what they were called. I'll look it up when I get home. Not totally sure yet that I want to do a planted tank. So I'm mainly wanting a light system for brightness and color, $200 or less range.

Do not over light. If you do not go with planted tank and do not plan to install CO2 - do not put to much light. Otherwise you will get green algae.

[Marshall]

"If you plan on having more growth/plants (or plants with high light requirements) you need more wattage. I suggest the Hagen Glo T5 HO system. The fixture itself is not too bad in terms of price, but the bulbs are expenseive, especially compared to the shop light package at Home Depot."

A friend of mine that works at a LFS told me that Hagen just anounced a 43% price reduction on their T5 H0 bulbs effective November 1, 2010. I don't think Home Depot or any other big box hardware store sells T5 HO bulbs for aquarium use....but I could be wrong.