Zabu

I'm stuck in a pickle of either getting 4x65w or 2x65w.

I currently have a 55g tank (48in) w/ ada as and plan to grow hc, blyxa japonica, and eleocharis vivipara/montevidensis.

I know 4x65w would be more than enough for those plants, but would 2x65w be enough to grow hc into a nice dense carpet?? What about the other plants?

Thanks

eklikewhoa

It might but I would go with the 4x65w.

OD_1

What is the average/recomended watt per gallon... Cos i've also got a 55Gal tank with two 36W lights, and i cant find anything bigger...

What im reading from your comments is that i should try and get 8X36W lights!!!

IS THIS TRUE?

hooha

I would recommend the 4x65w as well if you want to get the HC to take off (with CO2 of course).

OD, it all depends on what you want to do with your tank.....high light isn't a necessity or a recommendation....some plants will do much better in a higher light setup, but then you need the carbon dioxide addition and regular fert addition as well.

Zabu

what do you think would be a nice schedule to have with the 4x65w?

Initially, I've read no more than 4 hrs..?? Then go to a 8hr photoperiod with only 2x65w for the whole 8, then the other 2x65w for 2-3hrs.

Would that be fine?

eklikewhoa

I am guessing your tank is 36" in length right? if so coralife has a 2x96w that should work for you, I know cause my 30g is also 36" and that's what I have over mine.

eklikewhoa

Here's how I started with mine which is 2x96 but is similar to your 4x65 since there will be two cords/two switches.

1x96 for 7hrs
2x96 for 3-4hrs midday

after a few months after the plants settled in I upped the lighting hour by hour every week till I got this...

1x96 for 9hrs
2x96 for 5hrs midday

I have co2 that sits at 30-40ppm's when on with the lighting...dose accordingly....aquasoil substrate and all in a 30g tank.

OD_1

Thanks for the tip, your dead on, my tank is 36''. I'll have to go see if any of the aquarium shops stock those lights, cos i stay in South Africa and theres very little out here in terms of aquarium accessories, if aquarium stockist dont have that product then where else could you find those types of bulbs...

Zabu

What are your thoughts on just having 6700k bulbs? I know plants love them, but many people on here do the 10000k/6700k combo.

hoppycalif

130 watts, with good reflectors, is plenty of light for a 55 gallon tank, and would allow you to grow any plant you might reasonably want to grow. What you gain with higher light is a lot more problems with algae, a lot more pruning jobs, and very little, if any room for errors in fertilizing or CO2 injection. But, people have success using either of those setups. It is a personal choice.