Lighting  one year on

[wetwetwet]

Tanks been set-up for a year now and I believe you're supposed to change the tube every 6-12 months, especially for plant growth.

Just change the back tube (for plant growth)?

If the front tube is just to show fish is there any need to replace it? If I do need to change it any thoughts of which spectrum would best bring out colours of community fishes?

BTW anyone got any thoughts on the use of reflectors?

:grin:

 

[Macquatic]

Hi 3w, you are correct in assuming tubes have a limited life, usually 7500-10000 hrs. You can do the arithmatic yourself :laugh: :laugh: .
For plants try Interpet Triton 7500hr life (cheapest), Hagen Powerglo, has a 2yr life. Also Hagen Lifeglow, a bit dearer but has an internal reflector. All high intensity.
I'd use 2 plant tubes as they are full spectrum light, will give good colour to your fish and beneficial to plant growth.
Reflectors can increase light intensity by up to 50%.
The choice is yours m8. Mac.

 

[adeyc]

I'm trying to find a 4 foot black light just now. Think it'll look good for my sittingroom tank. Good post as well it's reminded my I need to change the plant tube as well.

 

[Great Lakes]

3W, Mac's advice is sound. But here is where personal taste comes in. Stick with the 6500-10000k for your back light. Use whatever you find a good deal on. For the front bulb, ....experiment. I have used regular to grow tubes to coralife tubes for reef tanks. I have found that the blue spectrum,(cooler), really brings out the reds. But it is quite dependant on how you have your tank decorated. This is where everyone seems to part ways. There are so many colors of fish and substrate available as to make the most pleasing combination almost something you stumble onto. This is where the true fun begins. You didn't think healthy fish was the only challenge, ..did you? :grin:

 

[Macquatic]

Yep GL, there are so many combos of tubes it is difficult to reccomend what to buy. As you say it comes down to personal choice and these were mine :laugh: :laugh: !
3w, see what your lfs has in stock and go from there. Mac.

 

[Rose]

I get my bulbs from the hardware store. Cheeper than what the LPS is going to charge you. Bigger selection too. Rose

 

[Davy Reynolds]

Has anyone found any other of making there own lighting, paying £9 for a stupid bit of metal is way OTT

 

[whacky]

Petrol and a match thats good for lighting :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

sorry evil head just popped out then

 

[whacky]

On a serious note i have found in several places mainly on the net though increasingly more people are turning to the household tubes

 

[Davy Reynolds]

If I ever got the fish hut up and running I was going to use house blubs

 

[Macquatic]

House "blubs" :laugh: :laugh: are quite good but household tubes are better for the hut. Much more light, cheaper to buy and run. Mac.

 

[Davy Reynolds]

:laugh: Dont act like your taking me serious. You know what I ment 8)

 

[Great Lakes]

Except fpr the blue actinics, which is a must for corals,(and they look cool), I use 6500K's made by philips. 4ft bulb, at hardware, 4 bucks.
Peoples with 4ft tanks. Go to you local department store, buy a 4 ft shop light, paint the thing black, two 6500K bulbs, pop it on top of your tank. That will get you started. Then you'll see how much better your tank looks with some real light on it, instead of the cheesy little things the lfs gives you with them.
And when this gets you hooked on how cool lighting is, give me a yell for some real crazy stuff. 8)

 

[whacky]

Go on then GL tell me more

 

[reg2k2]

Is flourescent lighting cooler than incandescent? Think so.
Anyway, question's regarding night lighting. Tried red bulb a looong time ago (sh. prob. try again just to see), but my catfish I think sensed the heat, and 'knew' the light was on.
I understand they don't make red tubes, so a guy at LFS suggested wrapping it in cellophane. I was thinkin' of maybe just laying it over glass at night. Anyway, do you think it would melt?