lighting.

[mc 1]

idont have sufficient lighting to support plant growth and i am looking to get different lighting soon.are there any suggestions as what i must get.i prefer tubes .

here are the specs of the tank
capacity:300litres
width/breadth:45cm
height:50cm
lenght:1,2 metres
i am looking to go heavily planted.
help very much apreciated:bigsmile:

[Big G]

Hey MC1

I would with out a doubt go with T5 all the way!!

For a good planted I would use between 2 - 4 54watt tubes with Gull wing reflectors!

The main cost is the Ballasts, and these are pretty hefty! R250ish for a dual 54Watt HO (Hi Output) Ballast which will run 2 tubes. The main drawback of these Ballasts is that you have to do all wiring yourself, unless you know of someone who can do it for you??

The other alternative is to buy an all in one T5 unit, but you are looking at starting at R1000 upwards! I know Glo (Hagen) have a twin tube one for around R1200, butyou still need to buy the tubes!

The Tubes themselves can be got for around R60 - R80 a tube, just don't get them from an LFS! You'll pay twice as much then!

Hope that helps a little??
Cheers!
Big G!

[mc 1]

thanks for the help
i will definetly get the first option
its alot cheaper

[KiazerG]

I recently rigged together my T5 system which included:

A 39W dual Ballast, Wiring, Clipons and power cord + Plug (total cost for this was R212 but this was after MUCH calling around and driving to a dodgy part of Durban to the guy who actually supplys all the lps in Durbs)

2 x Sylvania Grolux 6700k (think that was it?) at R45 a pop

Wiring is straight forward as there is a diagram on the ballast itself and mine was the push clip (you push the wire into the hole and it clips in and cannot be pulled out again) system which sounds great but just dont break a wire in it. I soldered my power cord on and walla I had a T5 system totalling R302.

one good piece of advice is - if you want to save money rather paint your hood white.... those reflectors can be expensive.

I now have to do weekly trims in my 3ft thanks to my new lighting and Dirks Druppels

[mc 1]

i bought big g option and got the ballast
and 2 T5 39w tubes
and at the moment i have a 30w florecent tube in my tank would all of that combined be enough lighting
or must i set up 2 T5 systems like the one I bought???

[KiazerG]

MC_1 thats a good start.... I reckon if you concentrate your planting directly under the T5's it'll be fine. If you looking at planting sensitive plants then you may have to look at more light but then the use of c02 will have to be considered and that then gets more complicated....

I'd say see how it goes and if you see the plants are battling then add another dual t5 system.

was your setup reasonable in price?

[mc 1]

no it was realy expensive but i got it as an early birthday present.
what are some sensative plant sso i know not to buy them??
ps thanks for all the help i appreciate it

[McCLaw]

idont have sufficient lighting to support plant growth and i am looking to get different lighting soon.are there any suggestions as what i must get.i prefer tubes .

here are the specs of the tank
capacity:300litres
width/breadth:45cm
height:50cm
lenght:1,2 metres
i am looking to go heavily planted.
help very much apreciated:bigsmile:

Your best and cheapest option is Any T8 that says "Cool White".

It has the correct mix of Blue and Red light for plant growth.

Best part is: The globes are redicilously cheap:) about R25 to R50 depending on where you buy.

OOPS, see you hav already bought, O well, try it on your next tank ;)

[mc 1]

i got the cool white in all my tanks and it works well
i( went for the T5 because i think it gives of a higher intensity )

[McCLaw]

True, intensity on the t5's will be alot higher, and makes the fish look better :)

although, for pure plant growth t8's ahould be fine. I normally combine cool whites with one actnitic or Bright white t8 for the same effect. :)