36" deep tank lighting suggestions

MitchM · #1 03-27-2009, 10:04 PM

Does anybody have any suggestions for lighting a 36"d 48"w FW tank?
I'm still deciding on which fish (tetras probably), it'll be a planted tank with C02, Flourite substrate and fertilizers added.

I presently have a 2 X 250W Aquamedic Aquaspacelight over the tank, and I'm thinking that it is too much.

(This is a SW tank that I have to change over to FW.)

Thanks,
Mitch

animalcrossing · #2 03-27-2009, 10:52 PM

more than enough and remember rinse rinse rinse try to get as much salt off of it as possible tetras dont like it and some plants will melt because of it

MitchM · #3 03-27-2009, 10:58 PM

Yeah, I think it's too much, but I'm not sure what to reduce it down to.

The tank has been sitting with FW, flourite, some plants and driftwood for about 6 months now with many, many water changes.
An FX5 filter has been running the whole time.

Mitch

spreerider · #4 03-27-2009, 11:00 PM

if you want to keep the MH try 175W might be better, but i would think that 2 250w would be ok but high, you would need high dosing and high co2

MitchM · #5 03-27-2009, 11:13 PM

I don't really care about staying with MH.
What would an ideal light setup be like?

Thanks

saltyrockbox · #6 03-29-2009, 09:36 PM

you could keep the MH and put some floating plants in for shade. You will be able to grow awesome red, high light plants but you will need lots of Co2 and fertz. Find a hydroponics store or order fertilizers in bulk online..

MitchM · #7 04-02-2009, 07:37 PM

Thanks for the suggestions,
I think I'm going to just replace the 1 year old 250's with some newer 10000k"s, as that's all I can find.
Here's a pic, (you'll have to excuse the hoses and paraphernalia hanging off the sides. My FX5 packed it in and I'm doing what I can to keep circulation for 02 exchange going).

Mitch