Luminaires....

[TLH]

This will be lighting for my new future freshwater planted tank. I am looking at 48" long with 4xT5 bulbs at 54w each. This will be over a 21" tall tank with a footprint of 48"x15".

Firstly is that too much light or not? 216w is quite a bit of light.
Should I run 2 bulbs for the full photoperiod and cut the other 2 in for just the midday burst only. BTW I have pressurised CO₂.

Secondly what sorts of good luminaires are available in the UK and what do people here use? I've only seen Arcadia, Aqua Medic and Betta types and can't find out much about the latter. This is one on ebay "linky" and they sent me a couple of extra photo's but I still need more advice here. I really like the Aqua Medic ones but they are the priciest at £304. Anyone have either of these or something else?


Prices I've seen so far run from £209 for the Arcadia upto £269. This Betta one is £169 and they can supply it with white freshwater lamps for me rather than the actinics etc. Here are a couple of pics they sent me, how does it compare to an Arcadia version in both design and build quality?

http://images.filecloud.com/714335/DSCF2083.JPG
http://images.filecloud.com/714336/DSCF2084.JPG

Opinions please.

[Sponsors]

[Darkblade48]

I think 216W over a 65 gallon tank is fine, as long as you keep up with your CO2 and fertilization. At > 3 WPG, you will definitely need to do this, or else algae will take over really fast.

You could try running 3 bulbs, and then turning on the 4th one for a midday burst if you want.

[TLH]

I think the Arcadia one only has 2 switches controlling 2 bulbs each so it'd have to be 2 bulbs (108w) for 8-10 hours with the other 2 on for 2-3 hours mid photo period. I'm not sure how the others are arranged yet or what I can do with them.

We just don't seem to have the range of kit over here that you lot get in the States. Ideally I'd like one with moon lights and timers but the only thing I've seen vaguely like this are halide set-ups and they are pricey and even more over powered and power hungry.

[fishsandwitch]

are you sure these are Ho t5 and not No T5?

[TLH]

Pretty much yeah.

[TLH]

There is also this D&D Razor to consider http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/?q=node/95

I liked the look of their Mega Twin fittings too but they don't make them any more I don't think. They have a built in dimmer though which is neat.

[Naja002]

Originally Posted by TLH

This will be lighting for my new future freshwater planted tank. I am looking at 48" long with 4xT5 bulbs at 54w each. This will be over a 21" tall tank with a footprint of 48"x15".

Firstly is that too much light or not? 216w is quite a bit of light.
Should I run 2 bulbs for the full photoperiod and cut the other 2 in for just the midday burst only. BTW I have pressurised CO₂.

That's a lot of light for that tank, but whether or not its too much really depends upon your abilities/skills...... If you have any questions about your ability to handle a high light tank, then my suggestion would be to start with 2 bulbs and work your way up! Heck of a lot easier then jumping in neck deep and you'll learn more in the process that way.....


HTH

[mrkookm]

That's a lot of light for that tank, but whether or not its too much really depends upon your abilities/skills......

x2

I use 2 x T5 @ 108watts over a 90gal

[TLH]

Is that the tank in your profile MrKookm? What happened with the 232w you had?

[mrkookm]

Is that the tank in your profile MrKookm? What happened with the 232w you had?

The other setup was ODNO T8 tubes with a painted white background. My current setup has 2 lamps with reflectors and I get the same intensity as I did with the T8's. T5's under the correct reflectors really work well.

The plants I choose to keep are as light demanding as it gets and I have no issues with any of them ...even HC and most recently UG.

Ultimately what I'm trying to say is that you have a smaller, more shallow tank and 216 watts is not needed

[TLH]

How tall is your 90 then?

I may see if I can get a 24" tall tank yet, depends on cost really but it really has to be 15" deep to fit on the stand I have. I could fit 18" at a pinch but this is upstairs and I don't want to risk the extra weight even though the beams should support it with ease.

So are we throwing the watts per gallon rule out then when we get to this size of tank or is it just the fact that T5's output more useful light?

I would really like to grow some high light plants that colour up under good lighting and try my hand at something more than just a few species in a tank like I've done for so long. I've got two 24"x12" tanks currently and this one will replace them both. I figure going to one tank will save me some work even though it's bigger, afterall I'll only have the one filter to take care of for a start.

[mrkookm]

How tall is your 90 then?

24" but wit sub it's more like 20". Lamp to water distance is 15~16" so if I want more I can always lower.

[TLH]

Sounds good to me then. You have that a long way above the water to my mind but if it works it works. I may have to make some brackets to hang the thing off the wall I think, depends what I finally get I suppose but a twin bulb it is then.

Thanks for the help.

[TLH]

Hi guys, been a while but I got myself a light. It's a D&D Razor T5 twin with the "W" shaped reflectors. Won it on ebay for a good price and it has only been used for a day apparently. Looking forward to having a look at it but right now I'm in hospital with a few problems so it'll have to wait. Will get back to posting more often when they get me well again.