55 gallon aquarium lighting

[SubluxT7]

Hi everyone.

I'm currently setting up a used 55 gallon system. I got it off craigslist for 180 bucks, but i got the tank, stand, hood (with lights), and a rena xp1 filter.

I want to throw real low light plants into the tank, but I noticed that the lighting in the hood currently is coralife 50/50 6000K actinic 03 (F15-T8-BP). I do like the look of the actnics but am wondering if the actinic lights are going to work with real plants (enough WPG?). I couldn't find a WPG anywhere on them so i'm throwing this out there for anyone who might know. I've noticed that actinics are generally used for people with SW tanks, not FW (this was a FW tank btw). I do plan to put on some blue cold cathode moonlights that I found in the DIY section as well.

Any help?

SubluxT7:headbang2:

 

[luckydud13]

zEasyz all you gotta do is goto like home depot lowes buy a shop light, and simple lights might run u like 15 that about it.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

how long is it? on t8 every foot is 8 watts.

 

[luckydud13]

If its a 55 I assume its 48 inches m

 

[severum mama]

Not necessarily. Some of the tank deals from chain pet stores come with 2 plastic hoods and 2 2 foot strips... in that case it's 30W I believe. At any rate, you won't have much luck with most species of plants, although I've kept java fern under these conditions in the past.

 

[SubluxT7]

Yes...its 2 seperate lights, 18 inches each, which comes to 30W i believe. Guess I will have to rip them out and replace with some proper lighting. Thanks again.

SubluxT7