Lighting Question.....

[J4G3D]

Wondered if twin 54w t5's would be ok for my freshwater setup?

 

[three-fingers]

Who knows?

Gonna need to supply details .

Tank dimensions or model?

Aims for the tank?

Planted high-tech? (high CO2 + heavy fertilisers) Low-tech? (easy plants, no added CO2 or ferts) No plants?

What type of fish?

Also, do you have any info about the bulbs? Like K rating? Doesn't really matter for plants or fish, just useful for you to know for your personal taste. Just in case the bulbs are too yellow or blue for your liking.

And one more thing...is this an aquarium made luminaire, or are you planing on DIYing these into an existing hood?

 

[J4G3D]

Who knows?

Gonna need to supply details .

Tank dimensions or model?

Aims for the tank?

Planted high-tech? (high CO2 + heavy fertilisers) Low-tech? (easy plants, no added CO2 or ferts) No plants?

What type of fish?

Also, do you have any info about the bulbs? Like K rating? Doesn't really matter for plants or fish, just useful for you to know for your personal taste. Just in case the bulbs are too yellow or blue for your liking.

And one more thing...is this an aquarium made luminaire, or are you planing on DIYing these into an existing hood?

Its a seabray dolphin 4ft tank 50 gallon. It currently has 1 light which isnt very good. The only plants in the tank are moss plants and balls. Theres 22 fishes ranging from angelfish to albino sharks. I dont know if the bulbs are k rating, there white and from a saltwater aquarium. The bulbs will sit onto of the glass roofing.

 

[three-fingers]

In that case, no, 2 54w t5 bulbs would be way too much light for your set-up, unless you want lots of algae growth .

One 54w tube with a reflector would be ideal.

What light does the tank have now?

 

[J4G3D]

Ive gone for x2 T8 38w tubes 1 for the back 1 for the front.

 

[three-fingers]

Ive gone for x2 T8 38w tubes 1 for the back 1 for the front.

Good choice.

 

[BigFairy]

i find that on my tank, my 4x54w t5's are too much also, and so i alternate the light from 2 lights on to 4 lights on every second day. It really depends on your plants too. Some plants like a LOT of light (ie/hydrophillia difformis, ludwiga, cabomba) and other like crypts do not like it at all.