I have a standard glass rectangle 55 gallon tank, with the glass lid. Currently, my tank doesn't have a light, but I've been doing some research and finding out how important it is for fish to have a light source to mimic the sun and how it should turn and turn off at around the same time each day, and how it tells the fish which way is up pretty much. I have a filter that hangs on the back of the tank, and I also need to get another filter (which is a whole different story). How/where do I mount a light that the filters won't impede? What size should I get? How many watts are necessary? I don't plan on keeping a planted tank currently, im just more concerned about my fishs' health and them having a healthy routine.
I've been a little intimidated about buying a lighting system because of how pricey they seem to be, but haven't looked into pricing too deeply because im not sure what I need. If anyone has any ideas for websites that tend to have good deals on the items I might need, that would be of great help as well!
All replies and advice is greatly appreciated!
Full Version: 55 Gallon Needs A Light!
I don't know what your budget is but I just bought this one http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl36...0000kfreshwater
It's arriving on Friday. I will let you know what I think.
It's arriving on Friday. I will let you know what I think.
you can buy or you can do a DIY light hood. I know alot of people did, look great.
Thanks for the quick replies!
This may sound silly, but I guess my main question is, where does the light go? This fish tank was my dad's originally, he had a couple koi in it for a few years, but he always had an undergravel filtration system in it. He had a light on it, (not sure where it went) but it ran along the back of the aquarium, where my filter is now. Should I just get an updated lid so that the light runs in front of the filters? I'm trying to keep as little space in the lid as possible because I have a couple dojo loaches as well, and the male seems like he dreams of becoming an escape artist one day...
This may sound silly, but I guess my main question is, where does the light go? This fish tank was my dad's originally, he had a couple koi in it for a few years, but he always had an undergravel filtration system in it. He had a light on it, (not sure where it went) but it ran along the back of the aquarium, where my filter is now. Should I just get an updated lid so that the light runs in front of the filters? I'm trying to keep as little space in the lid as possible because I have a couple dojo loaches as well, and the male seems like he dreams of becoming an escape artist one day...
If it is just for fish i would have 1-2 watts per gallon so 55 - 110watts for a 55gal this is how the light can sit. They can either get a light strip which just sit on the glass lid or you can get the ufo style which has mounting legs i will do a paint diagram for both.
In both of my diagrams the filter has been placed at the back behind the lights so the lighting is closer to the front.
Strip Lighting
UFO Lighting
In both of my diagrams the filter has been placed at the back behind the lights so the lighting is closer to the front.
Strip Lighting
UFO Lighting
I have been using these:
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl36...blestriplight30
They are cheap, the bulbs are readily available locally (and with the on-line price match are not expensive - they only need to be replaced once a year for full bright) and you get two bulbs in a very compact, flat piece of equipment. They last well - I have not had any fail in the time I have had them (multiple years), and because they have so little "height" to them, they fit in my stacked tanks well.
They have extendable wires on the sides - allowing them to be supported by the tank sides. Just set them right on top of the glass lid of your tank- extending the wire supports to the sides of the tank. This is very secure. It also allows you to use the glass lid that you have. I like the glass lids much better thanthe huge black plastic hoods anyway. They are much easier to see through and to clean.
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl36...blestriplight30
They are cheap, the bulbs are readily available locally (and with the on-line price match are not expensive - they only need to be replaced once a year for full bright) and you get two bulbs in a very compact, flat piece of equipment. They last well - I have not had any fail in the time I have had them (multiple years), and because they have so little "height" to them, they fit in my stacked tanks well.
They have extendable wires on the sides - allowing them to be supported by the tank sides. Just set them right on top of the glass lid of your tank- extending the wire supports to the sides of the tank. This is very secure. It also allows you to use the glass lid that you have. I like the glass lids much better thanthe huge black plastic hoods anyway. They are much easier to see through and to clean.
QUOTE(daryl @ Jan 23 2008, 09:39 AM) 
They have extendable wires on the sides - allowing them to be supported by the tank sides. Just set them right on top of the glass lid of your tank- extending the wire supports to the sides of the tank. This is very secure. It also allows you to use the glass lid that you have. I like the glass lids much better thanthe huge black plastic hoods anyway. They are much easier to see through and to clean.
I'm in the market for new lighting on my 55g., so I'll have to remember this thread.
I hate those black hoods that come with these tanks. I had the canopy for my 125g. custom made (acrylic), but will prolly make my own for the 55g.
I was wondering about the strip lighting for the 55's, becuz of the center braces that stick up in the middle. This isn't a problem then?
daryl, youre a life saver, those lights seem perfect. Inexpensive, and I don't need to get a whole hood setup! I like the glass lids better too, and am happy to find something that can make everything in my setup work together. Thanks so much for your reply and everyone elses too.
Just one quick question, on that ad link that you gave me, it notes that the bulb included is 18 watts, are there different bulbs that are compatible that have higher "wattage"?
Just one quick question, on that ad link that you gave me, it notes that the bulb included is 18 watts, are there different bulbs that are compatible that have higher "wattage"?
You will find different colors of light - and such. I like LifeGlo for most of mine. Those lights take a slightly different bulb than what a standard black hood takes. They are called T5 bulbs. The bulbs are substantially skinnier than the bulbs you see in the black hoods. Their diameter is about 1/2 I think. They are available in my LFS as well as the big-box pet stores. They are much cheaper on BigAls and they get the bulbs to me unbroken. They last as long and as well as the larger bulbs.
QUOTE(daryl @ Jan 23 2008, 08:39 AM)
I have been using these:
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl36...blestriplight30
They are cheap, the bulbs are readily available locally (and with the on-line price match are not expensive - they only need to be replaced once a year for full bright) and you get two bulbs in a very compact, flat piece of equipment. They last well - I have not had any fail in the time I have had them (multiple years), and because they have so little "height" to them, they fit in my stacked tanks well.
They have extendable wires on the sides - allowing them to be supported by the tank sides. Just set them right on top of the glass lid of your tank- extending the wire supports to the sides of the tank. This is very secure. It also allows you to use the glass lid that you have. I like the glass lids much better thanthe huge black plastic hoods anyway. They are much easier to see through and to clean.
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl36...blestriplight30
They are cheap, the bulbs are readily available locally (and with the on-line price match are not expensive - they only need to be replaced once a year for full bright) and you get two bulbs in a very compact, flat piece of equipment. They last well - I have not had any fail in the time I have had them (multiple years), and because they have so little "height" to them, they fit in my stacked tanks well.
They have extendable wires on the sides - allowing them to be supported by the tank sides. Just set them right on top of the glass lid of your tank- extending the wire supports to the sides of the tank. This is very secure. It also allows you to use the glass lid that you have. I like the glass lids much better thanthe huge black plastic hoods anyway. They are much easier to see through and to clean.
My old 36" striplight was buzzing, so based on Daryl's recommendation I ordered one of these lights. It arrived today. As I was unpacking the box, I thought "boy where is the box for the striplight?". The box was narrow and I thought they must have just sent me the fluoresent tubes! What do you know, it was the complete striplight! It can't be much more than an inch in height with two light tubes. Best of all the colors on my goldfish now pop and look much better.
I'm very pleased with the new light. Thanks Daryl
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