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View Full Version : What light would you recommend for a 46g bow planted aquarium??



beaver24
01-02-2009, 06:25 PM
What light would you recommend for a 46g bow planted aquarium?? I know coralife is one of the best! I'm starting a new planted aquarium and I'm a beginner and want to do it right. I don't want to cut any corners. Any advice is appreciated. Model numbers would be great!

GrillMaster
01-02-2009, 07:36 PM
One of these guys... Or 2 if ya want a lotta light with C02.

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj243/basstalker/96_in_36.jpg

from here...http://www.ahsupply.com/96watt.htm

bs6749
01-02-2009, 08:07 PM
One of those shoud be sufficient for high light plants and CO2. 2 of them would definitely be overkill. Maybe go with a couple of 30" T5 lightstrips from Coralife. T5's are better IMO. I've got PC/CF and would switch in a minute to T5's if I had to do it again. They are more efficient and cost less. The bulbs don't need to be replaced as often and they are far less expensive too.

sneaker
01-02-2009, 08:31 PM
I have had all types of lights for planted tanks and you can't go wrong with AH supply, there reflectors that come with there lights are the best.There 96 watt would be ideal. If you have any questions e mail Kim at ah and he will answer any he is great

1077
01-03-2009, 06:26 AM
I would look for bulbs with 6700K rating. Anything in excess of 10,000K will only invite algae unless tank is heavily planted.Most plant growers concede 6700K is plenty.

Wahter
01-03-2009, 07:11 AM
I have had all types of lights for planted tanks and you can't go wrong with AH supply, there reflectors that come with there lights are the best.There 96 watt would be ideal. If you have any questions e mail Kim at ah and he will answer any he is great

I've actually had some bad luck dealing with AH Supply that he didn't resolve, but their retrofit kits are decent - you can find similar kits from other on-line vendors and even the usual www.thatfishplace.com and www.drsfostersmith.com. If you aren't handy with retrofitting a new light setup into an existing case or if you'd rather just get a completed light strip fixture that's ready to go, you can pick one up from either the usual www.thatfishplace.com and www.drsfostersmith.com.

As mentioned, lights around 6700K color temperature work fine.

Hope that helps,


Walter

beaver24
01-03-2009, 12:46 PM
How would rate this light for a freshwater planted aquarium?

http://www.aquacon.com/current.html

it is a 36' single 50/50 combo light, 96 watts.

beaver24
01-03-2009, 02:28 PM
Is a current USA 36 inch power compact light any good?

it is a single 50/50 combo light, 96 watts.

Wahter
01-03-2009, 09:01 PM
Is a current USA 36 inch power compact light any good?

it is a single 50/50 combo light, 96 watts.

Typically 50/50 means half of the light is daylight (good for aquarium plants) and the other half is actinic (good for corals, but not so good for aquarium plants).

There's good information about lighting at Drs. Fosters and Smith's website:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/ArticleNav.cfm?d=158&category=586&c=3578

What you're looking for is something like this:
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/204914/product.web
(although you won't need the lunar light function)

Hope that helps,


Walter