Lighting for a 135 Gal for plants

[Grey Legion]

Ok I got my biggest tank ever !!

it is a 135 Gal 72x18x24 and I am looking for lighting idea's I want about 2-3 watts of light per Gallon as the tank will have many plants but sadly my budget is tight so I want something simple and low cost ( if possible )

any idea's I went to the local hardware store and they don't carry 72" flouresent bulbs or ballasts...

I was looking at VHO from my LFS and they may prove to be out of my price range the ballasts are really expensive !?!!

so anyone have any idea ??

Thanks

 

[konrad05]

lol, for that size tank, I don't know how you can possibly go cheap on anything! If you want a nicely planted tank, you have to invest properly. You can buy about nine 48" 40 watt bulbs, but the price will come out to 200-400 depending on what type of canopy and such. My best recommendation would be to invest into 2 metal halide bulbs suspended over the tank. Then the cost of the filtration, heating, substrate, and plants to fill that space and etc, haha, you're looking at around a thousand dollars just to start!

 

[Grey Legion]

I am looking into a few things, but wanted some intelligent idea's from other people who have faced this problem in the past and see how they worked it out..

Thanks for your comments

 

[taylorhedrich]

It's gonna cost ya!! Why not just go with synthetic (artificial) plants? They are making the so real looking now, especially the silk ones. Best of all, they are cheap, and easy to take care of. I've never messed around with live plants. It's all what you wanna do, just making a suggestion.
~Taylor~

 

[Grey Legion]

That thought has crossed my mind....I don't like any fake plants but I thought maybe about going with a rock formation of sorts...just kinda a drag I have had real plants for years got a good deal on the tank/stand and now I am stuck on lighting...

I'll keep thinking and reading I guess

 

[Grey Legion]

Found a place not to far from me and I may look into this

VHO LIGHTS

if my maths is correct 2x160= 320 Watts

I want at least 2 watts per Gallon 135x2= 270 Watts

So I have an extra 50 watts !!!

I think this may be the best solution at the best price...

what do you guys think ??

 

[konrad05]

sure go for it. Now all you have to do is find a canopy to retro fit it into, or build one yourself.

 

[Grey Legion]

Yup, it will be added to my list of choices...the price is good ( to bad it is in US dollars ) but for 100 more I can get it with a complete canopy...I'll have to call them and get some more info before I sornd that kind of money...heck I paid less for the tank and stand !?!