Upgrading My Lighting

[copps321]

currently i have a 4,2,2 ft tropical with various plants doing well the lighting is just 2 54watt T5s that i attached to hinged pieces of wood that i customed to fit my tank (the bulbs go corner to corner because of a little ledge in my tank)

i was thinking of upgrading this sometime soon to an actual unit like http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400390205506?var=670059995027&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

the only problem im wondering about is what sort of effect would the extra 2 54watts have on my tank.

 

[Lunar Jetman]

The first question I'll ask is if your plants are doing well, why do you want to change them?

Simply put, more lighting means the plants will need more food and there is a greater risk of algae.

Is there something wrong with the lights you currently have?

 

[copps321]

Not so much the lights but the lid is just wood place on top with a hinge in the middle so is quite heavy and eventually I would think the water would cause some damage to it

 

[Lunar Jetman]

Fair enough. Sounds like you need to redesign the tank hood more than replace the lights then. Do you have any pictures of the current setup?

 

[copps321]

Well I wouldn't need to redesign the good if I brought those as it wouldn't need it I could go for the 2 bulb unit instead

 

[Lunar Jetman]

Ok, I get you! You should be able to mount that on the top of your tank. You can get more powerful lighting but you will need more nutrients for the plants as I already said.

Up to you I guess. As long as you know the impact of higher lighting levels.

 

[copps321]

Well I could just buy a 2 bulb unit instead but they don't seem to differ in price that much