lighting a new tank

[jamestothemax]

hey question on lighting

Im currently sorting out setting up another plant tank.

Its most likely to be 1500mm length x 600mm wide x 700mm high

Im wanting high light levels for the plants i intend to keep.

would metal halide lighting be the best way to go. it'll be an open top tank with the metal halides hung from the ceiling if i do use them.

also wondering on which ones to use. saw the dupla combi with 2 x 150watt metal halides and 2 x tube lights. suitable? its a 1380mm long unit or something like that.

any thoughts or ideas or other good brands would be great

excuse metric its how us new zealanders do it

 

[yvez9]

Your tanks works out to about 165 gallons

i think your halides and fluroescent mix would be good. Look for at least 350 watts total, spread across the length of the tank

Make sure you get 6,000K bulbs.

the higher you choose them, the more algea will grow!

You should also get co2 reactor in there.

 

[jamestothemax]

awesome thanks for the reply.

yeah itll have the full works. thinking pressurized co2 with ph controller, laterite, under gravel heating etc etc

thanks again

 

[George Farmer]

awesome thanks for the reply.

yeah itll have the full works. thinking pressurized co2 with ph controller, laterite, under gravel heating etc etc

thanks again

Sounds wonderful. Keep us updated won't you.

Welcome the the Forum too!

 

[Lateral Line]

>>> excuse metric its how us new zealanders do it

It's how most of us do it

As mentioned, a lot of halide lamps have a very high colour "temperature", 10,000K and well over. Be really sure you get the right lamps.

You'll need a CO2 system with that.

Sounds like a nice setup in the making.

 

[guppygirl]

I can't wait to see the setup!!
Keep us updated.

 

[jamestothemax]

>>> excuse metric its how us new zealanders do it

It's how most of us do it

yeah i hadnt seen many people using it on here it all seemed to be gallons and inches.

thanks guys ill keep you up to date on progress but it may take i while i keep spending all the money i save for it on different types of plants. (no self control)

thanks