Need Lighting Help for Low Tech Tank

[RichardChen]

I have a 46 gallon bow front tank that I want to make it a CRS tank with plants. I would like to make it a low tech tank because I am a beginner.

I read articles here and there and some great suggestions from others. I am a little bit overloaded with all info. There are two light products out there I would like to have some input about their quality and helping to decide which will work better for 'low tech' approach.

First one is Coralife T5NO 36" (2*21W) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846 and the second product is Odyssea T5HO (2*39W) http://www.aquatraders.com/36-inch-2...re-p/52122.htm

Is it possible to set up a low tech planted tank with few animals so that only little maintenance is required (that is, no taking out decos rocks and constantly wash gravel as I do with cichlid tank?)

Thank you for helping the newbie.

[nhung]

I would go with the Odyssea light. The Coralife is not enough light even for a low tech tank. I never vacuum the substrate in my planted tank. The build up provide good fertilizer for your plant.

[Chef]

I would make sure your lighting output no matter if you are CFL or T5 is no less than 1.5w per gallon in the 6700k-10000k spectrum range.

[sunkenmetal]

I have a 56 gallon column low tech tank. I got a Coralife freshwater aqualight with 2 CF 65watt 6500k bulbs on it. My java ferns, java moss, crypt and hornwort are alive and well.

I got the light at city pets for $69.00 here is the specs on the light http://www.marineandreef.com/Freshwa...p/res53113.htm

I got the legs at T&T....