What's new
By:
Filters

Arcadia Lighting

You will struggle to keep certain plants compact (eg Glosso) with only 2x15W T8 tubes or 2WPG over a typical 60cm tank(been there done that and it didnt work) better off going with an overtank T5 luminaire or at least 3-4WPG of T8 lighting.
 
zig said:
You will struggle to keep certain plants compact (eg Glosso) with only 2x15W T8 tubes or 2WPG over a typical 60cm tank(been there done that and it didnt work) better off going with an overtank T5 luminaire or at least 3-4WPG of T8 lighting.
Click to expand...

are there any carpeting plants that i can grow with 2WPG? fair enough plants such as glosso etc. that require better qualities won't grow to their full potential...what will?
 
Glosso will grow fine under 2WPG but it will grow leggy not compact, grass type plants would do fine under that amount of light, HC would also do ok, just grow a bit more bushy perhaps but will still be fine with a bit of pruning here and there. CO2 would be a must also otherwise hair algae will break out relatively quickly. You will grow lots of plants with 2WPG just some will not stay as compact as if you added more light. Good luck with it.
 
With regards to substrate with these sorts of plants, what is best? I will have alot of fast growers in their too.
 
Right...I have now bought the equipment and it all works fine, I ended up buying all of the stuff from Arcadia, so now have:
1x Arcadia Control Unit 14W-15W
1x 15W, 18" Arcadia Freshwater Bulb,
1x 18" Reflector
But....I have come to install the bulb in the hood...
I have taken the back flap off its hinges to fit the clips that hold the reflector/bulb as its the only realistic place.
Annoyingly I was thinking it through and the filter that I'm using blocks where the bulb would go, and obviously I don't wish to melt the filter leads or the filter itself!!! Here's a couple of pictures that show the problem: Any sollutions or will I need to change the filter?
 

Attachments

  • oops.JPG
    oops.JPG
    41.7 KB · Views: 53
  • oops2.JPG
    oops2.JPG
    37.1 KB · Views: 54
Humm could you move the light so its up the opposite end of the lid? Away from the other stuff?

Glad you took the plunge and got the new lighting. It ain't difficult adding more light is it?:)

Sam

EDIT - it is a bit tricky to see the filter BTW, could you take a pic from the other end of the tank and also from the front on the tank so we can see it more clearly? Cheers
 
Themuleous said:
Humm could you move the light so its up the opposite end of the lid? Away from the other stuff?

Glad you took the plunge and got the new lighting. It ain't difficult adding more light is it?:)

Sam

EDIT - it is a bit tricky to see the filter BTW, could you take a pic from the other end of the tank and also from the front on the tank so we can see it more clearly? Cheers
Click to expand...

I could put it at the front yeah...would that be too much light right at the front of the tank though and look odd? I'm not sure!

Would I be better off getting a different filter anyway? This creates surface agitation (obviously!) and won't that ruin some of the CO2 and its effectiveness overall? In other words, if I install the lights at the back of the tank and get a different filter would that be better? Then I'd still have the front flap fully free for feeding etc...

:lol: Its not too hard, worth it when I finally get there hopefully!!!!

Thanks again Sam
 
Here's some more photos:
 

Attachments

  • STA60174.JPG
    STA60174.JPG
    52 KB · Views: 61
  • STA60175.JPG
    STA60175.JPG
    47.5 KB · Views: 62
Right I see the problem. It does look like its creating quite a bit of surface agitation, so a new filter would sort that problem as well. If you have the money they get a new filter.

If you need any advice on which one to get and dont want to go the external route, I can highly recommend the hydor internals, I have two and both are excellent. The K20 is rated for tanks up to 90lt so would probably suffice. Alternatively the eheim aquaball filters always look good, not that Ive had one though.

Re the position of the light, it is good to have a decent spread of light over the tank, but you only really need light at the front if you want a carpet of something, but you've not got enough light for that anyway so I wouldn't think it'll matter to much where the light goes. And as you say it means you can still use the front flap for feeding etc. I guess looking at it that the two flats look the same, if you find its not working having it at the back its not a big job to swap the flaps over so the light is at the front.

Sam
 
Themuleous said:
Right I see the problem. It does look like its creating quite a bit of surface agitation, so a new filter would sort that problem as well. If you have the money they get a new filter.

If you need any advice on which one to get and dont want to go the external route, I can highly recommend the hydor internals, I have two and both are excellent. The K20 is rated for tanks up to 90lt so would probably suffice. Alternatively the eheim aquaball filters always look good, not that Ive had one though.

Re the position of the light, it is good to have a decent spread of light over the tank, but you only really need light at the front if you want a carpet of something, but you've not got enough light for that anyway so I wouldn't think it'll matter to much where the light goes. And as you say it means you can still use the front flap for feeding etc. I guess looking at it that the two flats look the same, if you find its not working having it at the back its not a big job to swap the flaps over so the light is at the front.

Sam
Click to expand...

The Hydor looks quite good...hows your external, think its the Eheim Classic 2211 that you used on your nano?? they look quite good, obviously reduce the amount of equipment you see in the tank!!

Yeah your right. it would be easy to change over if it didn't work at the back!
 
I keep seeing different things as this goes on!!!

The flaps are actually different, the front one is designed so it can't even be taken out!! So it looks like I'll be ordering the Hydor internal tonight and putting the bulb at the back...that'll give me time to plan the rest in terms of substrate, laterate etc. too and hopefully it'll all come together soon.
 
Here are the pictures Sam, I worked out that I should have 5mm clearance of the main lood when the lighting is rotated on the flap to face the bottom. I've tried it and there's a good 7mm clearance which is obviously even better. All thats left now is to get the filter and then the light is ready to go...then comes the laterate and new gravel/plants which will be a job in itself!!!! Thats to come in the near future though when my bank balance ups all by itself!!!
 

Attachments

  • hood.JPG
    hood.JPG
    31.5 KB · Views: 59
  • hood__1_.JPG
    hood__1_.JPG
    25.5 KB · Views: 57
  • hood__2_.JPG
    hood__2_.JPG
    39.9 KB · Views: 56
I'd stick it on the front for the moment, its the same when you mod Juwel hoods on 60cm tanks except on the back they have a built in ballast (bulky) so the extra light goes on the front, no other option, works fine. Good for foreground plants :shifty:
 
Looking good :) hope you get all the other stuff soon.

Sam
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Mikeyboy123
diy lids
Replies
3
Views
662
Mikeyboy123
Mikeyboy123
Colin_T
Aquarium Plants 1.01
Replies
3
Views
965
TwoTankAmin
TwoTankAmin
L
LED tubes in T5 fitting
Replies
9
Views
925
LCPete
L
outofwater
Lone dwarf gourami tank upgrade
Replies
3
Views
1K
outofwater
outofwater
F
Will too much light stress my fish?
2
Replies
18
Views
2K
Colin_T
Colin_T

Most reactions

Useful Links

Back
Top