lighting suggestions please

[eegs102]

Hi All,

I've got a heaxagonal tank from peak aquatics (64L) which Im currently looking at lighting options for. I've currently just got a small filament style light which I use but Im looking at other options which will show off the fish better (tropical community fish) etc.

I think the largest tube I can fit in the hood (which came with the tank) is 12" and therefore Im looking at suggestions for what to do. The tank currently has a few plants in and therefore the lighting needs to be able to support these!

I've seen several 12" tubes from arcadia but they're only 8W and Im thinking this may not be enough for the plants? I've also seen other types of tubes (T5? where the tube doubles back on itself) but Im not sure whats going to be the best option as space is a real issue! Would it be worth considering the compact T5 tubes from interpet?

I've also seen people talking about multiple tube setups but I've not seen any appropriate starters etc which have two sets of terminals.

If anyone has any suggestions I'd be most grateful. Looking to get this done while I still have some money in my bank account

Many thanks,
Iain

 

[yvez9]

hex tank aren't really suited for high lighting seeing how tall and narrow they are

your best bet would be powercompacts but then again, you'd be limited in size. You could maybe fit in 4 or 5 18 watt tubes in there to get low-medium lighting at the bottom.

If you're really hardcore, metal halides would work well as they are small and extremely powerful but rather expensive. You could easily fit a 250w light in there.

Finally, you could always stick to low light plants nd have a planted tank that way. That might be your best option

 

[eegs102]

Thanks for the advice,

Just to clarify... for multiple lamp setups one controller is required for each lamp?

I have seen that there's a controller from interpret which is specifically designed to run 2x T5 compacts. Maybe if space permits that'll be a good option?

I do currently have plants living happily in the tank with just the filamant lamp I have at the moment (which isnt very powerful at all!). By fitting two fluroescent lamps I would definitely be upping the wattage in the tank so they should be happy!

Thanks,
Iain

 

[daza]

I have only seen twin 55 watt controllers from Interpet. Have you seen smaller wattage twin controllers anywhere Iain? I have been looking into these myself lately but I can't find a decent catalogue of what is available, nor can I find decent datasheets for all their lamps.

If you have the fittings for an incandescent at the moment, maybe you could buy the incadescent replacement style power compacts (as opposed to straight or long U-shaped T5s), with the same fitting so it would go straight in. These come with in-built ballasts too.

Because heat isn't the issue it is with incandescents you could buy a much higer output light. Maybe you could even make a reflector for it if you don't have one. Just an idea.

 

[eegs102]

Ok....

So I think Im going to go for 2x 24w T5 Compact Fluorescants for my tank... 12" should fit ok. This should give me enough light for the plants etc. (I believe).

Im just not debating which type of tubes to go for. I've been looking at the Interpet T5 compact ones but Im a bit unsure what to choose. The options are:

Triplus T5 Power Compact Lamps - which apparently:

Promotes freshwater plant and marine coral growth

Ideal for lighting :

Freshwater aquariums to stimulate lush plant growth
Marine fish aquariums
Marine invertebrate aquariums to support coral and macroalgae growth

or

Interpet Beauty Light T5 Power Compact Lamps

which:

Brings out the colour in goldfish & tropical aquaria

Ideal for lighting aquariums with :

Goldfish
Tropical community fish
Plastic plants
Live plants which need low to medium light
Long life - high intensity lighting
Reduces Algae problems
Spectrum enhances Reds, Blues, Greens and Yellows

So I've got the option of going for a combination of the two, or simply two of one type or the other. My tank is a planted, community tank with fish as seen in my profile. I'd like to display the fish at their best and obviously provide enough light for the plants.

If anyone has any suggestions I'd really appreciate them!

Many thanks,
Iain