It would work but see how much it will be to replace the bulb every 8-10 months for a low tech ten the CFL I think is the best cheap and effective. But if you are buying it anyway it won't hurt to try first
Would this work? (Lighting question for 10-gallon low-tech)
I'm interested in setting up a ten-gallon low-tech (no CO2, low-ish light) planted tank. My original plan was to use a couple of CFL bulbs for lighting; however, we're considering this product to illuminate some potted plants that we own:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001XLSGQ/ref=cm_pdp_wish_itm_img_1
It appears to suspend a 48" 54-Watt T5HO, 6500K fluorescent tube at an adjustable height.
How would it work, do you think, to place the tank underneath this fixture? Bear in mind my tank would only be 20" long, so I assume it would not really be receiving 54 Watts of lighting. Would this be not enough light for a low-tech plant, a good amount, or too much (such that I'd get algae problems unless I used CO2)?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001XLSGQ/ref=cm_pdp_wish_itm_img_1
It appears to suspend a 48" 54-Watt T5HO, 6500K fluorescent tube at an adjustable height.
How would it work, do you think, to place the tank underneath this fixture? Bear in mind my tank would only be 20" long, so I assume it would not really be receiving 54 Watts of lighting. Would this be not enough light for a low-tech plant, a good amount, or too much (such that I'd get algae problems unless I used CO2)?
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
It would work but see how much it will be to replace the bulb for a low tech ten the CFL I think is the best cheap and effective
Bulb replacement is affordable.
Go for it where are you finding the bulbs and how much I might buy one too it looks like a good dealBulb replacement is affordable.
True...I'm just trying to figure out if it will give me the right amount of light. Arithmetically, I can figure out (20"/48")*54 Watts = 22.5 Watts = 2.25 Watts per gallon, but I don't know if it really works that way, and anyhow, it seems that they say Watts per gallon isn't really applicable to T5s.It would work but see how much it will be to replace the bulb every 8-10 months for a low tech ten the CFL I think is the best cheap and effective. But if you are buying it anyway it won't hurt to try first
Here are the replacement bulbs I found.Go for it where are you finding the bulbs and how much I might buy one too it looks like a good deal
http://www.hydrofarm.com/product.php?itemid=7658
Were you going with the 4' version so you could have potted plants and a tank underneath? They do make a 24" version if you wanted it to just cover the tank.
That's exactly right. It's the perfect width for our plant table/tank stand. So, the question pertains to the amount of light received in a 20-inch-long tank placed under a 48-inch tube.Were you going with the 4' version so you could have potted plants and a tank underneath? They do make a 24" version if you wanted it to just cover the tank.
I forget whether you have already done this math, but you could divide 20" by 48" and deal with the whole bulb. 48" is the length of a 55g. I don't have experience with T5 HOs, but it sounds like they're awfully bright.That's exactly right. It's the perfect width for our plant table/tank stand. So, the question pertains to the amount of light received in a 20-inch-long tank placed under a 48-inch tube.
Another thing to consider is that terrestrial plants and aquatic plants get differing amounts of light - the aquatic generally considerably less.
Considering your application, you might check out riparia, just to see how they do it with terrestrial plants and fish.
I think that would work. The long fixture over the matching shelf length, and the tank getting some, and the plants around it getting some of the light.
The math seems to work out OK.
When watts per gallon were the best guide we had 2.5 wpg of T-12 or T-8 would be low light for a 10 gallon tank. Small tanks need more light than mid-sized tanks.
I wonder if 2.5 watts from a T-5HO might put your tank at the higher end of low light, or up into middle light (where you will need some attention to carbon and fertilizer).
Adjustable height might be just the thing to make this a great choice.
Let us know how it works out!
The math seems to work out OK.
When watts per gallon were the best guide we had 2.5 wpg of T-12 or T-8 would be low light for a 10 gallon tank. Small tanks need more light than mid-sized tanks.
I wonder if 2.5 watts from a T-5HO might put your tank at the higher end of low light, or up into middle light (where you will need some attention to carbon and fertilizer).
Adjustable height might be just the thing to make this a great choice.
Let us know how it works out!
I think that would work. The long fixture over the matching shelf length, and the tank getting some, and the plants around it getting some of the light.
The math seems to work out OK.
When watts per gallon were the best guide we had 2.5 wpg of T-12 or T-8 would be low light for a 10 gallon tank. Small tanks need more light than mid-sized tanks.
I wonder if 2.5 watts from a T-5HO might put your tank at the higher end of low light, or up into middle light (where you will need some attention to carbon and fertilizer).
Adjustable height might be just the thing to make this a great choice.
Let us know how it works out!
Thanks. Actually, it would be 2.25 Watts per gallon, not 2.5. I suppose I'll try it, and rethink things if I end up with too much light. However, what with the thing being adjustable height, I suspect I might be able to get it to work.
That light stand only lets you raise the light about 30 inches from the floor, or where ever you sit the stand. It looks like a great candidate for modifying to be taller.
The wattage of the light is irrelevant for figuring how much light this will be for a 10 gallon tank. A 4 foot long T5 light gives the same amount of light for a 10 gallon tank as for one that is 4 feet long. How high you would need to put that light to get low light depends on how good the reflector and ballast are in the light.
The wattage of the light is irrelevant for figuring how much light this will be for a 10 gallon tank. A 4 foot long T5 light gives the same amount of light for a 10 gallon tank as for one that is 4 feet long. How high you would need to put that light to get low light depends on how good the reflector and ballast are in the light.
FWIW, here's a guy who used this lighting on a 20-long.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/epiphytes-indoor-aquatic-rainforest
It looks like he has the light pretty high.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/epiphytes-indoor-aquatic-rainforest
It looks like he has the light pretty high.
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
The Planted Tank Forum
A forum community dedicated to Aquatic tank owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about flora, fauna, health, housing, filters, care, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Top Contributors this Month
View All
Kwyet
134 Replies
Galabar001
58 Replies
Creature From The Tank
58 Replies
Recommended Communities
