Lighting for a 40g Breeder - APE - Aquatic Plant Enthusiasts

BlakeL · 09-24-2009, 07:46 PM

I am trying to plan what I am going to need for this tank. I found one locally for $40. Would this light be good for a low light, non co2 tank?

Fishneedit 36"

Which bulbs should I buy?

oldpunk · 09-24-2009, 10:45 PM

maybe if you hang it high enough. i'm not really sure though. it's been my experience that T5HO fixtures don't really mesh well with low tech.

well... the more i think about it, the more it sounds like it would work out. if you hung that bad boy a foot or so(maybe more) over the tank, i bet you'd get pretty uniform lighting at low light levels.

- i am no expert.

edit - (didn't see about the bulbs...) i really like the 6500/10000 combo.

BlakeL · 09-24-2009, 10:57 PM

Well I thought it was 1-2wpg for a low light tank without needing co2. The 40 Breeder is around 47g so that would be like 1.7wpg

AquaZilla · 09-24-2009, 10:57 PM

I like to use T5HO 4 bulb fixtures with the light about 11.5" inches above the tank. This has worked well for me.. Some folks would say it to much light, but I have more color options with 4 bulbs in the fixture

BlakeL · 09-24-2009, 11:07 PM

I will be mounting it with the included legs. Do you think this would be a good affordable option?

AquaZilla · 09-24-2009, 11:26 PM

I think that will work very well. Nice light with decent looking reflectors, and a price you cant beat

I like the fact that you can easily flip it up.. Looks like they improved there power chord as well.

BlakeL · 09-25-2009, 12:27 AM

How about filtration? I am trying to budget for the tank. Would a higher gph ehiem work well with a hydor powerhead?

AquaZilla · 09-25-2009, 12:32 AM

A 2217 would be perfect for a 40B..

09-24-2009, 07:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
BlakeL Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Longwood,FL Posts: 102	Lighting for a 40g Breeder I am trying to plan what I am going to need for this tank. I found one locally for $40. Would this light be good for a low light, non co2 tank? Fishneedit 36" Which bulbs should I buy?

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09-24-2009, 10:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
oldpunk Planted Tank Guru Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: California Posts: 200	maybe if you hang it high enough. i'm not really sure though. it's been my experience that T5HO fixtures don't really mesh well with low tech. well... the more i think about it, the more it sounds like it would work out. if you hung that bad boy a foot or so(maybe more) over the tank, i bet you'd get pretty uniform lighting at low light levels. - i am no expert. edit - (didn't see about the bulbs...) i really like the 6500/10000 combo.

09-24-2009, 10:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
BlakeL Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Longwood,FL Posts: 102	Well I thought it was 1-2wpg for a low light tank without needing co2. The 40 Breeder is around 47g so that would be like 1.7wpg

09-24-2009, 10:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,736	I like to use T5HO 4 bulb fixtures with the light about 11.5" inches above the tank. This has worked well for me.. Some folks would say it to much light, but I have more color options with 4 bulbs in the fixture

09-24-2009, 11:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
BlakeL Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Longwood,FL Posts: 102	I will be mounting it with the included legs. Do you think this would be a good affordable option?

09-24-2009, 11:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,736	I think that will work very well. Nice light with decent looking reflectors, and a price you cant beat I like the fact that you can easily flip it up.. Looks like they improved there power chord as well.

09-25-2009, 12:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
BlakeL Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Longwood,FL Posts: 102	How about filtration? I am trying to budget for the tank. Would a higher gph ehiem work well with a hydor powerhead?

09-25-2009, 12:32 AM	#8 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,736	A 2217 would be perfect for a 40B..