Help Pick One Of These 3 Light Options

[Ed Green]

Hi

yesterday I asked on here if anyone knew of any good small over tank luminaires and I was given a few options.

Can you guys suggest out of the below options which would be better for a 35ltr tank. I want to up the lighting as things like HC and hairgrass arent growing so well under my 22w of arc pod lighting. I dont have pressurised co2, i use easy carbo and until recently diy yeast co2 ( i stopped using it and have noticed very little difference - less algie maybe!)

So whcih of these lights is best, baring in mind i dont want to have to little or too much light as I dont have pressurised co2.

1 - BOYU T5 14W x 3

2 - BOYU T5 8W x 3

3 - Compact T5 & LED Aquarium Lamp Unit 55w


I currently run 22w (2X11 watt arc pods) so wonder if the middle option, 8wx3 wouldnt be enough. I also worry that the other two options 52w or 55w would be too much without pressurised co2?

Help would be massively appreciated!

Ed

 

[Truck]

what's wrong with the current arc pods?

I would go with this one:

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/BOYU-T5-8W-x-3-Aquarium-Overhead-Tank-Lighting-Lamp_W0QQitemZ160341941881QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Fish?hash=item25551fde79

 

[Ed Green]

what's wrong with the current arc pods?

I would go with this one:

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/BOYU-T5-8W-x-3-Aquarium-Overhead-Tank-Lighting-Lamp_W0QQitemZ160341941881QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Fish?hash=item25551fde79

Hi

The arc pods just dont seem to generate enough light to grow the more tricky plants I want in there. I wonder perhaps because they are small strips that the light isnt dissipating around the tank evenly. They are also a bit pink but i am used to that and dont mind it.

The one you suggested is only 24w, 2w more than the arc pods, will that really make a difference?

Thanks for your help

Ed

 

[Truck]

what are you trying to grow?

It may only be 2 watts more, but the thing is with compact lamps like the arc ones, is due to the shape a lot of the light is lost and is useless, whereas with linear tubes more useful light is generated.

 

[Ed Green]

what are you trying to grow?

It may only be 2 watts more, but the thing is with compact lamps like the arc ones, is due to the shape a lot of the light is lost and is useless, whereas with linear tubes more useful light is generated.

Yes i think a lot of the pod lighting is lost. I want to grow HC and hargrass, things liek that. but i have even put riccia on a stone with a hair net and that didn’t exactly flourish in the current system. My medium and low light plans are growing happily.

Do you think that the higher W. lighting units I put up there would be too much light?

thanks again for takin the time to help

Ed

 

[Truck]

You wont be able to grow HC without CO2, this plant doesn't need that much light, it just likes lots of CO2, but DIY just isn't enough, pressurized is best, same with hair grass.

 

[Ed Green]

You wont be able to grow HC without CO2, this plant doesn't need that much light, it just likes lots of CO2, but DIY just isn't enough, pressurized is best, same with hair grass.

Thanks - i will look into co2 pressurised but dont know if i want to spend hundreds of pounds on my small tank. Your input is appreciated!

Ed

 

[Ed Green]

Thanks for the advice - i went for the HaiYang Compact T5 & LED Aquarium Lamp Unit in the end. For anyone that is interested it is great - looks nice and casts a great bright light.

Only complaint that I would make is that the blue night time LED's are on permanently which isnt ideal as I feel it dulls red colours (most of my fish in the nano are red!).

Ed