Lighting questions

1097 Views 11 Replies 5 Participants Last post by mikeb210, Oct 18, 2007

mikeb210

Discussion Starter · Oct 17, 2007

Hello all. I'm new to the world of planted tanks so please excuse any ignorance I might display here. I'm here to learn

I have a 29 gallon glass aquarium that I recently "inherited" from a friend and I would like to see it planted in the nature aquarium style. I have about 40 lbs of Eco-complete on top of an undergravel heater recommended by another friend. The plants I'd like to grow are riccia fluitans, some java moss and maybe a nice background plant of myrio, hairgrass or something along those lines (still not 100% decided). My issue is the lighting. I found a light that I think would work well, and I was hoping that some of you could weigh in with opinions/experiences with this light. If this won't work well, please recommend a good light in a similar price range. I am trying to do this on a budget.

http://www.petsolutions.com/Current-USA-Orbit-PowerCompact-Light+I42901021+C33.aspx

Here's a link to the light that I'm considering. The one I'm looking at is the 30" 2x65w. Please let me know what you guys think. Also any recommendations on lights or plants are more than welcome!

Thanks so much!

-Mike

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McgJosh

· #2 · Oct 18, 2007

2*65 is a lot of light. You would have to look into co2 for sure and a lot of dosing. That would be what we call a high tech tank. 1*65w should be plenty for you.

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trfjason

· #3 · Oct 18, 2007

That light fixture is a very good choice, however, CO2 is required when you have a strong light.

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Left C

· #4 · Oct 18, 2007

Hi Mike

Orbit's are excellent fixtures, IMO. I have the 30" 2x65w model like you linked and the 20" 2x40w model too. The dual actinic bulb needs to be replaced though.

I replaced the front dual actinic bulb with a 65w Coralife square pin Colormax/6700K bulb. http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...coralifecolormax6700k65wpowercompactlampsqpin

If you don't want to use the bulb that I mentioned; you can use another 65w dual daylight 6700K/10,000K square pin PC in the front. That's the same bulb as the rear. There are also 6700K, 8800K and 10,000K 55w/65w square pin bulbs that will work as well.

You'll have 4.5 wpg with this fixture over your 29g. You need a very good CO2 system (pressurized is better than DIY) and a good fert dosing plan.

The fixture has three lamp cords and two on/off switches for the front and rear bulbs.

You can stagger your lighting by adding a noon burst. Here's an example. You can run the front bulb (it has the fan) for 6 to 12 hours and run the rear bulb in the middle of the lighting cycle for 2 to 4 hours. That will give you nice growth. It will help to minimize the algae as well.

I checked the pricing at DrsFosterSmith.com and BigAlsOnline.com. PetSolutions.com has the best listed price, but Big Al's will beat that price by 5% or about $8.40 cheaper. http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...302x65wattpowercompactstriplightw2lunarlights

Left C

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mikeb210

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 18, 2007

Left C said:
Hi Mike

Orbit's are excellent fixtures, IMO. I have the 30" 2x65w model like you linked and the 20" 2x40w model too. The dual actinic bulb needs to be replaced though.

I replaced the front dual actinic bulb with a 65w Coralife square pin Colormax/6700K bulb. http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...coralifecolormax6700k65wpowercompactlampsqpin

If you don't want to use the bulb that I mentioned; you can use another 65w dual daylight 6700K/10,000K square pin PC in the front. That's the same bulb as the rear. There are also 6700K, 8800K and 10,000K 55w/65w square pin bulbs that will work as well.

You'll have 4.5 wpg with this fixture over your 29g. You need a very good CO2 system (pressurized is better than DIY) and a good fert dosing plan.

The fixture has three lamp cords and two on/off switches for the front and rear bulbs.

You can stagger your lighting by adding a noon burst. Here's an example. You can run the front bulb (it has the fan) for 6 to 12 hours and run the rear bulb in the middle of the lighting cycle for 2 to 4 hours. That will give you nice growth. It will help to minimize the algae as well.

I checked the pricing at DrsFosterSmith.com and BigAlsOnline.com. PetSolutions.com has the best listed price, but Big Al's will beat that price by 5% or about $8.40 cheaper. http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...302x65wattpowercompactstriplightw2lunarlights

Left C

WOW! Thank you all for the help! I am planning for co2. I picked up this:

http://www.petsolutions.com/Plant-Gro-CO2-System+I15517690.aspx

at my LFS and ordered a diffuser rated up to 30 gallons last night. I liked the canister that comes with more than a 2 litre Pepsi bottle. My biggest concerns were about the lighting, but I also have some worries about the co2. How severe of a drop in pH am I looking at? I won't be able to turn the co2 off at night and I am worried that my pH will go haywire. Any one have any tips on this other than the $200 regulator? Again, thank you all so much...

-Mike

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McgJosh

· #6 · Oct 18, 2007

With 2x65w I think you might want to look into pressurized co2.

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mikeb210

Discussion Starter · #7 · Oct 18, 2007

McgJosh said:
With 2x65w I think you might want to look into pressurized co2.

Any recommendations? Decent priced preferably... I can't do the ADA systems. Its nice but waaaaaaaaaay expensive.

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Left C

· #8 · Oct 18, 2007

Take a look at Rex's CO2 equipment for sale: http://www.bestaquariumregulator.com/co2.html

That Hagen CO2 kit is only rated for aquariums up to 20 gallons. The yeast packets that come with it are usually bad and expensive to replace. You need to use your own yeast and baking soda. Here's a link that might help you: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/planted-tank-faq/10071-wanted-your-best-hagen-co2-recipes.html

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mikeb210

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 18, 2007

I knew those packets were junk when I got it. I cut one open and it had about 5 little yeast flakes in it and thats it. I planned on a sugar/yeast combo but I really like bottle that comes in that kit and it was cheap.

http://sammyxp.tripod.com/html/id23.html

Anyone ever seen this? Is it worth the effort? This guy built the whole setup and he claims you can do it under $100. I'm really liking this idea if it'll work. Or...

http://www.petsolutions.com/CO2-Pro-System+I30751070.aspx

This seems pretty good too and I could use paintball co2 tanks. Only problem with that is my tank is 29 gallons and this one is rated to 155 i think. I liked what Rex had for sale and I'm considering him too. Too many options I guess haha.

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mikeb210

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 18, 2007

Anyone know Rex's email? PM me if you do please. My computer won't let me go directly to it. Stupid macs...

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Rex Grigg

· #11 · Oct 18, 2007

Easy way to email me is just click on my name here.

Or just take a stab at my email address. advice at rexgrigg.com always works.

I personally can't build a CO2 system for $100. A refurbished 5 lb cylinder with gas runs $55. A regulator body runs $55. Add in a needle valve (and while the Clippard is a decent valve I would rather run a Fabco NV-55), check valve, various adapters and such and you run it up to around $150 pretty quick. If you get lucky with the cylinder you can save some money. You can also buy an inexpensive regulator. I prefer to work with a bit higher quality regulator.

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mikeb210

Discussion Starter · #12 · Oct 18, 2007

I just sent you an email. Then, I looked at your website. Probably not the right order but some of those questions still stand. Thanks all for the feedback!

-Mike

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