[Wet Thumb Forum]-Which is best for 40 gal? - DIY Aquarium Projects

JanMc · 08-08-2003, 06:27 AM

I want to setup a crypt tank with some anubias and maybe some val. I need to purchase a hood for my 40 gal tank and I was looking at the Coralife Aqualite hoods with pc lighting. They are very reasonably priced but I don't know if I should do a 96w 36" hood or a dual 36w 36" hood. Which would be better? I am not planning on using CO2 at first, so please take that into consideration. Also, what foreground carpet-like plants would you recommend? Thanks all.

JanMc · 08-08-2003, 06:27 AM

I want to setup a crypt tank with some anubias and maybe some val. I need to purchase a hood for my 40 gal tank and I was looking at the Coralife Aqualite hoods with pc lighting. They are very reasonably priced but I don't know if I should do a 96w 36" hood or a dual 36w 36" hood. Which would be better? I am not planning on using CO2 at first, so please take that into consideration. Also, what foreground carpet-like plants would you recommend? Thanks all.

Vicki · 08-08-2003, 07:22 AM

Jan, what are the dimensions of your tank? Are we talking a 40 gallon breeder (36x18x16), or some other size?

http://www.wheelpost.com

George Willms · 08-08-2003, 07:22 AM

How tall will the tank be? Either light will be just fine for growing crypts and anubias. I grow them with 60 watts on a 45g high tank. Val shouldn't be a problem with either light also. The foreground carpet will really depend on the height of your tank. Let us know!

George

Tank specs in profile

JanMc · 08-08-2003, 08:08 AM

Yes, the tank is 36" x 18" x 16".

Also, will I see a huge difference in plant growth in this type of tank if I add CO2?

Jon Mulzer · 08-08-2003, 09:28 AM

For Crypts and Anubias and other low light plants either will work. Personally I would go with the 96w one though. Not only will it give you a little more light in case there is another species with higher light requirements that you decide to keep in the future, but it is also only one bulb. Less to worry about and less to replace.

Just about any tank will see a growth increase if you add CO2. But the species you have chosen would be at the low end of showing improvement. At 2wpg, even with Crypts and Anubias and whatnot I would say it is almost a necessity. And absent of another carbon source, vals will extract what they need from the carbonate hardness of the water potentially dropping your pH. Now that I have added CO2 and seen the difference I will never go back.

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15XH, 36W PC, XP-1, Onyx Sand, DIY CO2

Crypts spiralis, ciliata, balansae and wendtii bronze and red, pennywort, wisteria and java fern and moss.

George Willms · 08-08-2003, 09:39 AM

I fully agree with John on this one. Plus with the 96w light you'll be able to better grow foreground cover plants. Once you've had co2, you won't want plants without it.

George

Tank specs in profile

Jon Mulzer · 08-08-2003, 09:47 AM

I love it when I agree with people.

Before it was Vicki and I. But now I guess I can add George and Dr. T to the list. lol

By the way, the 40 breeder is one of my favorite sizes. Very good proportions and depth front to back. It makes for a perfect medium sized planted aquarium.

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15XH, 36W PC, XP-1, Onyx Sand, DIY CO2

Crypts spiralis, ciliata, balansae and wendtii bronze and red, pennywort, wisteria and java fern and moss.

George Willms · 08-08-2003, 09:53 AM

It does make for a very nice looking tank. You will be happy with the 96w aqualight. I have a 30" aqualight fixture on my 29-gallon and I love it.

George

Tank specs in profile

JanMc · 08-08-2003, 10:10 AM

Thanks for all the help. I will be back with more questions as more tanks will be coming online soon. I have been out of fish since '94 when I was fully involved with Tangs and I am looking forward to using all this nice new technology that is available. I think a 150gal Tropheus tank will be next.