Lighting for standard 29 gallon Low tech.

[1077]

Sadly ,after cleaning out 75 gallon tank that has been running for a few year's, with plan's to plant it,, I discovered a couple cracks in glass at corner's that pretty much eliminate it as possible planted tank.
I shall be starting instead,,a standard 29 gal low tech, and am considering Coralife 30 inch fixture with one CFL 65 watt 6700 K bulb, as opposed to single 28 watt T8 bulb that is in original fixture(Kit).
Plant's will be largely crypt,anubia,and perhap's a sword plant and maybe some crypt parva for foreground.
My thinking is this light should be just about right for Non CO2, low tech.
Just would like confirmation, (opinion's) Many thank's in advance, Lee.

 

[Gerryd]

Hi,

I would most likely keep the T8 bulb. I have had good growth with non c02 or ferts using the Verilux brand of T12 and T8.

http://www.verilux.com/fluorescent-tubes/fluorescent-medium-pin

Retail around $15 usd but worth every mine IMO....

Nice CRI rating and a nice color at least to me. Plants and fish look good in them as well.

If the CF fixture can be raised that is a different story. I personally like T8 and would go that route.

Either will work I bet....

 

[Left C]

If I were you, I would follow Gerryd's T8 suggestion to do what you want to accomplish.

I started a 29g grow out tank a couple of weeks ago with that same 65w 6700K Coralife Aqualight PC. I have been using pressurized CO2 and EI dosing. I want the plants to grow, this is why I'm using CO2 and EI.

According to Hoppy's PAR info, this is a low light tank. Will this fixture work without CO2? I don't know. It might if you are dosing Excel or an Excel type product.

 

[1077]

Yes,,after more consideration, I believe the T8 bulb's will be easier to source, and have since found a two tube T8 fixture that I think will work.
Excel might be an option that I had not considered. Stayed away from it due to cost of dosing my 80 gal low tech,low light tank but could manage with the 29 gal.
Past expierience with the one T8 tube fixture for this tank, rendered very slow, (near stagnant) growth of crypt,and anubia so was thinking(alway's dangerous), that the CF fixture or dual tube T8 would help growth a little with out the need for CO2. Realize crypt's and anubia are slow growing, but am near certain I can increase light a little, without crossing into high light and my nemisis (algae),, appearing once again.
Will use scaled back version of EI dosing as I am with 80 gal tank and give it a go.
Many thank's for your thought's.

 

[jerrybforl]

If you are going with anubias, ferns, crypts, go for the T-8s! You can even get 6700k bulbs at HomeDepot. I think it was two to a package for like 5-6 bucks...can't beat that! Tom was telling me that HomeDepot is now selling T-5 Shoplights with good reflectors in them. I would look into that if I was you, but if you already have the T-8 fixture than that will work fine. If you go with the CF bulbs, do what Gerry said and raise it. Very simple to do. I use a shelving system that Gerry turned me on to and it works great. Can lower and raise to whatever height I want the fixture. You could also use DIY CO2 if you want to try that. It may work for your purpose. Anyone can chime in on that thought pls... Hope this helps.

 

[Left C]

The 65w/55w PC (CF) bulbs are 21" to 22" long which leaves the ends of a 30" aquarium a little dim. I don't like that part.

There used to be some 30" T8/T12 bulbs for planted aquariums, but I do not know about availability now. They used to appear in the clearance section of various vendors. There are plenty of 24" options.

I know that there are just a few 30" T5NO and T5HO bulb selections. Most of the available T5NO and T5HO bulbs that will fit in 30" aquariums are around 22" to 23" long or what I would call 24".

In other words, full tank lighting coverage from end to end is rare for a 30" long aquarium and this is a very popular size of aquarium too. I sure wish that there were more end to end lighting choices for these aquariums. There are very many lighting options for 24", 36" and 48" long aquariums.

 

[1077]

Hmmm, Good point about length of bulb's both CFL, and T8's for this particular tank.
Perhap's I shall wait for dollar a gallon sale at local chain store, and grab up a 55 gallon.
Might need 29 gallon for grow out tank for bristlenose before Thanksgiving.

 

[Left C]

Grab a 40 breeder (36" x 18") vs a 55g (48" x 13") instead because its wider footprint allows more depth and room when aquascaping. The 40 breeder's footprint covers more square inches than the 55g: 648 vs 624

Also, there are 3 aquariums available with this same 36" x 18" footprint. One, the 40 breeder is 16" tall, the 50g is 18" tall and the 65g is 24" tall.

If you want a 48" aquarium, grab a 75g or 90g instead. Both of these also have the same 18" width. There is also an 110 XHigh with a 48" x 18" footprint, but it is 29" tall. Then there is a 120g that has a 48" x24" footprint and 24" tall. And so forth ...

 

[Jim Miller]

LeftC: didn't know there was a 50g 36x18x18. That would make a very nice tank.

I wish I had made my 48x18x24 a 48x24x24 instead. Would have been much nicer to work with. Even a bit lower like 20" would have been plenty. Fat footprint rox!

jim

 

[1077]

Yes, I have been eyeballing the 40 gallon breeder for a while, and nearly bought one during last dollar a gallon sale.
I mentioned the 55 gallon primarily because I have several four foot light fixtures but can appreciate the extra width of the 40 gal breeder.
Might even have a light that will fit the 40 gallon.
Light in question was a bit long for 56 gallon column tank.

 

[Left C]

LeftC: didn't know there was a 50g 36x18x18. That would make a very nice tank.

I wish I had made my 48x18x24 a 48x24x24 instead. Would have been much nicer to work with. Even a bit lower like 20" would have been plenty. Fat footprint rox!

jim

The 50g and 65g 36x18 have center braces and the 40BR doesn't. http://www.aqueonproducts.com/products/standard-aquariums.htm