Hi there. I'm new to the hobby, and plan to set up my 55 gallon (48L X 12W X 21H) tank very soon. I don't know what I'll eventually put in this tank, but I would like to have the most intense lighting possible so that my options won't be limited. It has an oak canopy that is 14 inches wide and 7 inches tall. There is only about 5 inches of space between the top of the canopy and the top of the aquarium, so if I went with metal halides, I'm thinking that I would just trash the canopy and get a full hood. However, I don't want to have to use a chiller (too expensive, and I don't know where I would put it). So would metal halides work for me, or do they always require a chiller? Exactly how hot is too hot for an aquarium? We do keep our house pretty cool in the summer (about 72 degrees), and I do plan on having a sump for this tank if that makes a difference. The tank wouldn't be in direct sunlight, but it would be against a wall.
If metal halides are out, would you suggest T5s or PCs. Any particular brands or setups that you recommend? If I went with T5s or PCs, I could get a retrofit and make use of my current canopy, correct? Or would it be better to get a fixture that sits directly on the glass top?
Thanks for your help!
If metal halides are out, would you suggest T5s or PCs. Any particular brands or setups that you recommend? If I went with T5s or PCs, I could get a retrofit and make use of my current canopy, correct? Or would it be better to get a fixture that sits directly on the glass top?
Thanks for your help!
