Increasing Lighting In A Fluval Roma 240L

[FishyWishie]

Now for some reason I always assumed my lights were T5 but while browsing forums this morning (Insomnia FTW) I now believe there T8 which has made me a sad panda

Tank is a Fluval Roma 240L

Obviously I now want to improve this lighting to as much as I can without needing to inject C02 what are my options ? I think im right in saying T5 will not fit in T8 mounts but T6 will ? Im not great technically so while I dont mind chaning small things I'd rather not have to completely strip the whole light assembly to pieces.

I could have sworn seapets site said T5 when I bought the tank grrrr

 

[VaegaVic]

Now for some reason I always assumed my lights were T5 but while browsing forums this morning (Insomnia FTW) I now believe there T8 which has made me a sad panda

Tank is a Fluval Roma 240L

Obviously I now want to improve this lighting to as much as I can without needing to inject C02 what are my options ? I think im right in saying T5 will not fit in T8 mounts but T6 will ? Im not great technically so while I dont mind chaning small things I'd rather not have to completely strip the whole light assembly to pieces.

I could have sworn seapets site said T5 when I bought the tank grrrr

Did a bit of research for you and it seems it's now possible to buy retrofit packs that contain ways to slot in a t5 in t8 tube holders.

http/www.adapt5.com/carbon-trust-retrofit.htm

Take a look there, the one you want is called Tube-End type, although oddly looks like a baton..

 

[FishyWishie]

You sir are my new hero !

I spent hours trawling the net this morning and all i found were solutions using araldite and power drills

Just making sure i get right type im thinking reflector fitting not standard ? Think i have much reading to do!

Alternatives i would also consider are

Replacing the whole lighting unit with T5 one
Going for an overtank lighting system. like THIS
Although im mindful to much light and ill need to does pressurised C02 as opposed to easy carbo ?

 

[VaegaVic]

You sir are my new hero !

I spent hours trawling the net this morning and all i found were solutions using araldite and power drills

Just making sure i get right type im thinking reflector fitting not standard ? Think i have much reading to do!

Alternatives i would also consider are

Replacing the whole lighting unit with T5 one
Going for an overtank lighting system. like THIS
Although im mindful to much light and ill need to does pressurised C02 as opposed to easy carbo ?

Replacing the whole lighting system would be a lot of work, not to mention money.
Romas have this nasty little design flaw in which the top can only be removed with solvent and hammers.
It's up to you in regards to C02, I personally prefer liquids as I find I can be more precise, but others prefer injection is it's easier to dose.
Swings and roundabouts really.

 

[FishyWishie]

What I was thinking of doing was rather than removing the top merely removing the central light spar (removable) and the 2 side panels and either sitting the overtank lighting unit on the rim or by suspending it from the ceiling via small chains ;p

 

[FishyWishie]

Out of curiosity if i got 2 of the T8 > T5 things can i use the same wattage bulb ie a 40W T5 ?

 

[VaegaVic]

What I was thinking of doing was rather than removing the top merely removing the central light spar (removable) and the 2 side panels and either sitting the overtank lighting unit on the rim or by suspending it from the ceiling via small chains ;p

Ceiling chains are the way to go! Much more of that "wow" factor.

Out of curiosity if i got 2 of the T8 > T5 things can i use the same wattage bulb ie a 40W T5 ?

This I don't honestly know, I would assume so as it's only the bulb's that changing and not the power into it, but I would imagine you would perhaps have to go a size down to accomodate the extra width on each end. 40w goes down to 35w etc.

 

[FishyWishie]

Going for a pendant w/chains cant decide between a 2 X 54W T5 or a 3 X 39W T5 Im thinking in a 240L tank the 3 X 39W should put me comfortably into the medium light bracket ? The company Im looking at also have a 4 X 39W as well.


39W x 3 = 117 watts
39W x 4 = 156 watts

240L = 52.7 UK gallons

117W / 52.7 Uk Gallons = 2.22 WPG
156w / 52.7 UK Gallons = 2.96 WPG

Thats right I think ?

Will be used in conjuction with FE C02

 

[VaegaVic]

Going for a pendant w/chains cant decide between a 2 X 54W T5 or a 3 X 39W T5 Im thinking in a 240L tank the 3 X 39W should put me comfortably into the medium light bracket ?


39W x 3 = 117 watts
240L = 52.7 UK gallons

117W / 52.7 Uk Gallons = 2.22 WPG

Thats right I think ?

Will be used in conjuction with FE C02

When it comes to lighting these days, a lot of people use Lumens instead of WPG. Best to ask the guys on the planted side of the forum. I would also consider the problem of how high to hang the lights above the tank, the higher they are the easier it will be to get to the tank, but the less light actually hits your plants. The lower they are, you'll see more plant growth, but won't be able to move around.

 

[FishyWishie]

Rgr ill make post there As im not sure on the lumens front

With regards to the height issue i plan to have them low but those sretchy things people use to tie down luggage on roof racks to hold the chain further up when i need to plant/clean etc

 

[VaegaVic]

Rgr ill make post there As im not sure on the lumens front

With regards to the height issue i plan to have them low but those sretchy things people use to tie down luggage on roof racks to hold the chain further up when i need to plant/clean etc

HA!
Just had a brilliant image of a light unit on bungee cords.

Sounds like you've got most things handled in that case.
All that remains is finding a cheap way of installing said light.