My Tank Isn't Bright Enough

[MermaidMel]

I have a 55 gallon 4 foot aquarium with 2 strip lights bolted in at the top, they are 30w each and the tank looks dark, it could use better light for the plants too
I have no idea where to start, what they are called, what I should have instead etc. Can anyone help please?

 

[SuperColey1]

Get a daylight in there somewhere (6500K-10000K) If they don't tell you the K rating they aren't very good in general.

Then if you want either get another or mix it with a pink light (3500K-5000K)

This should brighten things up a little. Its probably the tubes you have are 'beauty' lights in that they aren't quite so bright to the human eye or that they are getting old. As you use them they slowly get less and less bright.

andy

 

[Rooster]

My four footer only runs on 2 tubes... and plants are feral !

My tubes are 42" :

FLORASUN
TRI PLUS (Interpet)

Shop around as prices seem to be "made up" at LFS ! I paid around £11 a piece.

 

[MermaidMel]

My four footer only runs on 2 tubes... and plants are feral !

My tubes are 42" :

FLORASUN
TRI PLUS (Interpet)

Shop around as prices seem to be "made up" at LFS ! I paid around £11 a piece.

How many watts each tube?

 

[Rooster]

My four footer only runs on 2 tubes... and plants are feral !

My tubes are 42" :

FLORASUN
TRI PLUS (Interpet)

Shop around as prices seem to be "made up" at LFS ! I paid around £11 a piece.

How many watts each tube?

38 W