Aquarium Lighting

[codeajohnson]

Hello Everyone,

I am looking to upgrade my lighting in hopes for better plant growth. I would like to have the lighting at around 2 wpg and I'm not really sure how to go about this. I have a 55 gallon tank with two 15 watt bulbs that are end to end. The problem I have run into is that I thought I could just buy bulbs with higher wattage and that would do the trick. I have now found that I wont be able to do this and I am confused as to how to set it up to get around 110 or 120 watts in my tank. The top of my tank is plastic and the houses for the lighting are seperate (there is plastic in between the two hoods). So, would someone be able to explain to me how I can obtain this wattage? Thanks for any help and sorry for the long post!

 

[BigC]

You might be better, If your going down the planted route, Post your topic in the planted section, some really educated guys in there George Farmer and the ilk.
They will advise you more if you tell them the make and model of your tank. Then they can form a solution to suit your needs.
Regards
BigC

 

[wendywc]

You need a new light strip... There's just no way to put 65W compact flourescents in place of you 15W tubes. Plus it would be a fire hazard to put higher wattage bulbs into a fixture that not designed for that higher wattage amount. Remove the plastic light strips that you have now and buy new.

Just make sure to buy a light kit that is the length of your tank. Look at these.
http/www.aquariumguys.com/compact-fixtures.html


Oh and shameless plug... I have this one for $70. If you're in the US, I'll sell it to you plus shipping.
http/www.aquariumguys.com/48satellite.html


EDIT: If you want a glass lids instead of plastic you could get those too. http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...cfm?pcatid=3790