[dennis]

Anyone have any input as to what the best option is for lighting a 5.5 gallon, lowlight, low maintance aquarium. It will have mosses, anubias, Java fern Windelov and maybe some hairgrass in one corner. Inhabitants are still undecided but possible a pair of dwarf Aferican cichlids. The person it is for wants one or 2 fish with lots of personality.

I have been thinking of getting a 1x13 watt from AH Supply but fear the coverage will not be very good. The tank currently has a Prefecto flourescent hood that holds 1x8watt T5 lamp (I think it is 8 watts). IN the past I thought the light seemed pretty bright with decent coverage but now it seems very dull. Perhaps its age has caused it to loose alot of its intensity? I figured i could almost buy the AH kit for the cost of getting a bulb for the current hood. If ya'll think the current setup would be fine, what is a good replacement bulb? Who makes them in that size (12" I think)?

Thanks in advance

 

[dennis]

Well,

I like the idea of the 13watts and of AH supply, but they are only 7" long so there would be 4.5 inched on each side as the tank is 16" long. I wonder how high above the tank the bulb would have to be to get adequate coverage?

On the same topic, sort of, what hairgrass species would not outgrow the 8" height of the aquarium under this lighting? I am looking for a grassy plant for one corner.

 

[dennis]

I just replaced the 8watt bulb. Its definately brighter but still pretty dim. I think if I did anything, I would get/make a hood for 1x14watt NO bulb, although those are even harder to find in good colors. Could you check to see how high you have to raise the 13watt PC to get good coverage, dimmer is ok. the 5.5 is 16" long exactly.