Aquarium Lighting

Hey Guys, hope you can help here, I have a 50L, deep tank, depth 510mm, I've gone through 7 of those cheapo Aiwa flouro light units, they keep burning out for some reason?!? I have seen these LED lighting units, specifically the Rio MS 1 Rio Mini Sun - Daylight - 10 White LED. Has anyone used these? Are they any good? Need to get something this weekend so any replies would be appreciated. In case you need to know I have 5 plants, honestly not really sure of the species, think there's 1 Java Fern. Stock = 1 Pleco, 1 Ram, 5 Black Skirts, 4 Redline Torpedoes, 2 Bala Sharks, 1 Rainbow Shark

 

See this Thread.Might help you about choice.
http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?t=3995
Suggest you go for the electronic Balast,and match the Balast and tube.(Very Important.)

 

Hey Slojo, tnx, chk'd that thread already. Honestly I'm looking for something effective, thats not gonna burn out (I'm talking about the fitting & ballast, not the globe/starter) every two weeks, I've lashed out almost R700 on lighting and it's all in the bin, the overseas reviews on these LED Daylight units are very positive, they put out the correct red spectrum light for the plants, and make the tank look good, plus LED doesn't overheat. Just wondered if any of the experts here had tried them out.

 

That's a small tank. Would a normal CFL not work guys?

 

Give the full tank specs and plants to be used please.
Is the tank realy 510mm deep?Thats 51cm.

 

50litres at 51cm deep is a VERY narrow tank. Based on the stocking level, you have SERIOSLY overstocked that tank... and the pleco and sharks will outgrow that tank in no time.

 

Hey Zoom, I've had 7 x of the small CFL units, I cant figure out why they keep overheating and burning out?!? I only run them for about 7 hours a day. At R150 each with globe, thats over R1000!! I'm looking for a fitting that won't overheat and burn out. At the moment all the livestock are pretty small, I know it's still quite overstocked, but the water is 100%, and they all looking healthy and not stressed. Been running for about 4 months, I have a mate who's cycling a nice 5 foot tank, he's gonna take the pleco and balas off me, possibly the rainbow too, as soon as he's ready.

Hey Rudi, yup it is a deep tank, def 510mm. As I say, I'm not sure what the five plants I have are, I have 3 x long stem with individual leaves, almost to the surface, 1 x something that looks like a small sword leaf plant, and I think a Java Fern. Unfortunately my LFS doesn't seem to know much about the plant species?!?

 

R150.00 for a CFL??? CFL is a standard energy saver globe we use in our houses. (You just need to buy the right rated globe... abour R30 from Makro)

Can you post some pics?

 

Soz, mayb we got our abbreviations crossed I thought the CFL was the "standard" grey box, made by Aiwa I think, with a ballast and starter, runnin a single tube, think it was 20W, the smallest one they make. What r u talking abt, just std bayonet/screw globe fitting with energy saver globe? No pics at the moment unfortunately.

 

Buddy,please give the full tank specs,i.e. lenght X width X height.
We need to know what you want to "light up".Are the lights for the plants or just to see the fish.

 

Hey Rudi, ok here goes, its a corner tank with sides as follows: 2 x long sides = 350mm each, 2 x short panels = 150mm each, 1 x diagonal view pane = 275mm, height(depth) 510mm. What I want to "light up" is the tank?!? From what I've read, tropical fish need around 10 hours of daylight at least, depending on the species. Second, it's really difficult to see the fish in the dark at night, and I figure since the plants are green, they need to photosynthesize using some sort of light, so I guess you can say, both.

 

IcemanX,

Rudi is 100% correct in requesting full tank specs. Over and above that, we will need to know what type of substrate you are using, if you are using any fertilizers. Is our plants easy growers and just to make the tank look more natural, or are you intending to have this as a heavy planted tank with a lot of effort going into the plant care.

IceMan, go have a look at my DIY thread here: http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?t=4062
It's slightly off topic to this discussion, but you will see how I have used a CFL in this tank. BUT they are only effecient if we know the exact specs of the tank.

When choosing a CFL, the best option is to find a CFL that is rated as 6,500k (kelvin). Osram, eurolux generally don't give their Kelvin rating, and usually only sell warm white (3000k) and cool white (4500k) which are no good. Phillips however sell a globe called a Genie, and a Genie Tornado. Make sure that the box says "cool daylight" and under the box the specs will show 6,400K. This is what I am running in that hood I showed you in the link above.

Again, I stress, as does Rudi, without pics, or exact specs, I can't guarantee this is the right route.

On a side note.... in Winter, the ambient air at night is cooler outside than in the tank, so condensation occurs within the tank. If the tank is entirely sealed, the condensation will get into the ballast and will cause it to blow. I would recommend drilling a few 20mm holes then into the hood to take this condensation out at night. (Again, this can be confirmed better with pictures.)

Regards
Z

 

Hey Zoom, thanx man, I have given the specs as requested, no probs, I understand the need for more info. I will try get some pics up here tomorrow. Not using fertilizers. Substrate is small blue stones. Im just really using the plants as a bit of deco, as well as for the fish to use to hide and play, the fern doesn't seem to have grown much, the roots haven't even left the basket and anchor medium. The three long/tall ones are growing really well, and their roots have extended into the stones. The last one is doing well, has grown a bit, and can see roots coming through the anchor medium in the basket. Also chk'd ur DIY, has given me an idea!!

 

No worries Iceman.

From your previous post I interpret that you have left the plants in the baskets they came in?

Can I make a suggestion?

Take the plants out the baskets, and plant the plants into you substrate... they will thank you later for it with far better growth. The roots are actually growing out the basket to try and get nutrients... not to tell you it's growing.

It would obviously be far better if we knew (or could see) what plants you have, because certain plants have certain requirements as to how they should be planted... but what I can tell you is that the generally accepted method is to plant the plants directly into the substrate and toss out the baskets and glass wool that they are planted in.

I had a brief chat with a guy who grows his own plants for the trade. In the nurseries, the plants are grown emmersed... (I.E roots in water, leaves out of water). Then when they pot them, they wrap the roots into that glass wool, (which apparantely is innitially soaked in a fertilizer... but I doubt that!), potted and sent to the stores. If the plant is not healthy or strong, ithe roots will eventually die inside the pot, and will make a complete mess of your chemistry in your water.

So go for it.... put the plants roots into the substrate... don't worry i fyour gravel is too big... it will still work.

In a few months time, (when the "planted tank" bug bites you), you will be asking us about specialized substrates, liquid fertilizers, CO2.... just wait.... heehe

 

If indeed one of those plants is a Java Fern, do not plant the roots in the substrate...just google to see how to plant a Java Fern...it should be tied with fishing line to a log or a stone so that the roots are exposed.

 

Hey Zoom and Laure, thanx for the advice. Sorry didnt get a chance to take pics, as soon as I do I will post them. Do you guys know of a site I could use to perhaps try identify these plants?

 

Right here on our own site:

http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?t=3921
http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?t=3986

 

Sweet, tnx, let me chk them out

 

Ok, from what I can make out I have 3 VERY tall Bacopa Monnieri, 1 TINY Ceratophyllum demersum 'Foxtail', which keeps "falling apart", always find bits of it floating at the top. The last one isn't a Java fern, looks like it could be one of the Crytocoryne's, but not sure which one, def not the broad leaf. But it's also very small

 

Indication of lack of
a.)Lighting
b.)Nutrients -Micro and/or Macro.