Hardware Advice

[njstockley]

Hi Everyone,

Had a pretty frustrating day looking for info on this but still not got a clue what I'm after.

Basically, I'm looking to get an air cutain set up in my new tank running along the back. What size pump would I need for an 85G to power a 2' curtain? what kind of lph rating would i need?

Also, the tank came without hood/lights - I'm going to make my own hood which should be easy enough, but now started looking at lights. Either going to fit some of those LED strips you see all the time on eBay. Or the alternative is by attaching something to the hood. ive seen a light starter unit with bulb for a very cheap price online, so thinking about getting it, but what exactly is a starter unit? this must sound like a really stupid question but ive really tried to google it and there isnt an explanation. i'm thinking i can get that, attach to the bottom of the hood and should be fine.

and finally, i like quite dim lighting in my tanks. is there a way of dimming a flourescant bulb? a coating of some sort?

thanks in advance

nick

 

[OldMan47]

For your air curtain, look for an air pump rated to supply 6 or more air stones at the depth of your tank.

A starter for a fluorescent lamp is an old technology. At one time, before the age of electronic ballasts, fluorescent fixtures were made that required starters. The starter would boost the voltage to the tube for the first few seconds to get it started conducting. After that the voltage on the tube was allowed to return to the ballast's ratio. The newer electronic ballasts do not require a separate starter. The electronic ballasts vary thier voltage as needed to run your fluorescent tubes.