57 gallons plants Tank - Need Help

[Zulaab]

Yes I think a 4x39 will be plenty good. Replace the Actinic light bulbs.
The best recommendation I have been told is replace them with the Giesemann Aqua Flora light bulbs.
Here is a link for one company who sells them

http://www.horticulturesource.com/product_info.php?products_id=4683

You are going to be looking at 156w of power over the tank giving you a 2.6wpg. I am sure one of the plant people can jump online and tell us if this is enough to grow what you want.

[Hogie]

another question please.

Should i usea diffuser or reactor on my co 2 ?

[wvgdiscus]

T-5's have different light out put per watts then a compact does.
So 4 39w T-5's will provide plenty of light for ur 58 gallon tank.
Just make sure each bulb has its own reflector.

[Hogie]

Thanks to Z

so you think 4 x39 will be good ?

[Zulaab]

That is waht i got.
Oceanic Illuminata Aquarium (36X18X21 inches)

Yeppers.. its sold "as" a 58g tank.. even though it does not hold that correctly, but since most people here online will recognize the 58 foot print as its a very common tank to see out there on the market :)

Cant wait to see pictures !

[Hogie]

Oceanic Illuminata Aquarium (36X18X21 inches)

That is waht i got.
Oceanic Illuminata Aquarium (36X18X21 inches)

[Zulaab]

I recommend the Current USA 36" Nova Extreme T5 4x39w
This will give you all the freshwater lighting you need.
Replace the Artinics with some 8800 or 10,000k or 12,000k lights.
The 12,000k will bring out more yellow in your fish, if you keep fish that have yellow in them.

Btw the last thing I wanted to say is I dont know anyone who makes a 57g but there are plenty out there that did the 58g 36 x 18 x 20.5

[Mzungu]

The ATI website says these guys are the only distributors in the US:

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/ATI/Powermodule_Fixtures/

If you're going to spend that kind of money, why not try to find a used fixture? Like wvgdiscus said, there is a great deal to be had here in the fish market on 2 Coralife double PC fixtures. :)

[Hogie]

how about 4 X80 w ?

[Hogie]

How abot this light ? 6 T5

[schance]

i would do at least 4 t5s or a dual power compact but i just like alot of light. if you want something crazy drs foster and smith now had led lights which are AWESOME but u pay out the rear for them

[wvgdiscus]

Thanks. tank is 36 inch only. How many w do i need ?

I would go with 2 T-5's.
Just seen someone selling 2 96w compacts on here that would work great to.
Which would be 3.5w per gallon.

[schance]

you also need a co2 regulator and diffuser to put the co2 in the water. u need a plant friendly substrate. ( that ada stuff is amazing) you need to ake sure there is very little water agitation on the top so your co2 doesnt get wasted but at the same time enough to give the fish o2 u might want to invest in some type of arm extension or something to get those hard to reach plants and ya lighting would be good. u should look into a double 150 watt metal halide light. the bulbs should be arond the 6700-10000k range

[Hogie]

56 gallons

Thanks. tank is 36 inch only. How many w do i need ?

[wvgdiscus]

Lighting depends on if you like high light plants or not.
Since your running CO2 you might as well go with high lighting.
A four bulb T-5 light will give you plenty of lighting for(I assume a 4 foot tank).