Confused about lighting

With plants, I think you want to get a T5/T8 - depending on cost/availabilty.

Light colors, I think you want a daylight colored one, then I would get at least one other color to help balance out the colors.

A 2-tube (or even 4) works well.

I have 2 lights on my 125. 3 different bulbs

Glaneon said:

With plants, I think you want to get a T5/T8 - depending on cost/availabilty.

Light colors, I think you want a daylight colored one, then I would get at least one other color to help balance out the colors.

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T5/T8's are pretty affordable, 1 daylight bulb, and what other color? Thx so much

That's going to depend on your fish & taste.

I was able to buy/return/buy/return/buy different bulbs from Petsmart.

A 4ft shop light from home depot will do the trick. They also sell plant bulbs. These bulbs are designed for plantrs so they dont seem to be the best for the fishes color. Should be under $50.00. You'll spend alot more at a fish store

hbbyhorse

It all depends on what you want as far as live plants... if all you want is live plants in say 2 single spots in the tank then might I suggest only lighting those 2 spots brightly?

It also depends on what you can do on your own vs buy. If you can build a simple wooden hood then your solutions are wide open.

LED could be a very cheap option depending on what plants you want and where you want to place them in the tank.

What plants are you thinking of and where in the tank? grouped? spread around?

Number6 said:

hbbyhorse
It also depends on what you can do on your own vs buy. If you can build a simple wooden hood then your solutions are wide open.

LED could be a very cheap option depending on what plants you want and where you want to place them in the tank.
What plants are you thinking of and where in the tank? grouped? spread around?

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well, I'm pretty handy, I'm planning on building a cabinet that will house the whole tank, I saw one on another thread that was just amazing! Mine won't be near as fancy, but it will be nice, not alot of plants, but some java fern, and some grasses, I can't remember the names, lol
I'm thinking of going with the "shop light" fixture, 2 bulb, one daylight bulb and the other a plant bulb, then a moonlight LED strip, I have one on my 72 and I love it! I can mount both on the inside of the cabinet where they will be out of sight, but still give the desired effect.
Thankx for all the ideas and help (I'm not near as confused anymore)

Glaneon said:

I was able to buy/return/buy/return/buy different bulbs from Petsmart.

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LOL, thats what I'm gonna do, petsmart is starting to recognize me now when I walk in the door! thx for the great advice

We go to our Petsmart so often we got invited to the asst.mgr's (she was mostly in fish area before) wedding this Saturday.

And their other guy is going to give my wife photography lessons.

I'm using a shoplight on a 55 (4 feet long) resting on a 1/4" glass strip (bought at a local glass store). Plants grow like crazy, works good. (The fish are just platys.)

Glaneon said:

We go to our Petsmart so often we got invited to the asst.mgr's (she was mostly in fish area before) wedding this Saturday. And their other guy is going to give my wife photography lessons.

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LOL, that's too funny!

The Novice said:

I'm using a shoplight on a 55 (4 feet long) resting on a 1/4" glass strip (bought at a local glass store). Plants grow like crazy, works good. (The fish are just platys.)

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No such things as "just" platys, I'm (over)excited to get this tank up and running, Friday I go shopping (for fish stuff) YEA!!![/quote]

You're right, of course. My grand-daughter (10), loves her babies. We have about a hundred in the 55, and I think she wants to name every one! Most are between 1/2" to 1", and growing well.

But the forum is about cichlids, so I guess they're just platys in this forum. God luck with the tank! We started in November, and already have a Yellow lab holding and due to spit soon! Much excitement about that!