Lighting Unit For New Tank?

[tqfan]

okay, we're setting up a new tank from scratch, but it's homemade, ie not shop bought.

we have the tank, filter, etc etc, but we have stalled on the lighting system. my dad is going to build the hood for it, and we're going to attach the lights to it, and we want 2 lights.

i've been looking around for a double starter unit, and have found the arcadia ones, and the hagen glo ones. our local fish shops are just useless, one only sells the single starter, while the other sells the single, but can order in the double.

what i need from you guys here is a bit of advice.

firstly, what is T5 and T8? what's the difference?

secondly, is there any one that is superior to the rest, or are they all decent to use?

the tank is 4ft by 15 by 15inches. i think we would be looking at the 42 inch tubes, rather than the 48, but if you have thougts on that, too, then let me know.

think i've covered everything! any tips are greatly appreciated.

thanks

 

[RedeyesUK]

The 'T' numbers are the diameter of the tubes, in eighths of an inch. Therefore, T8=8/8= 1 inch, T5=5/8 inch.
I think, as long as you're not getting some el cheapo no-name brand, starter units are all pretty much the same. Your money is best spent on some decent tubes.

It sounds like you're setting up pretty much exactly the same as the setup I already have, I'll have a look to see what mine actually is once I get home - I forget the details!


Looking forward to seeing the finished tank!

 

[Jdubz]

I recently bought a light unit off ebay only a single one but they do a double 40w for about £26 and i got it next day.

Light unit


Jake

 

[Truck]

unless you want a reef tank, or a planted tank, lighting is not important, as long as you can see your fish, they will be fine

 

[tqfan]

I recently bought a light unit off ebay only a single one but they do a double 40w for about £26 and i got it next day.

Light unit


Jake

thanks jake, i've already got that on my watch list but just wanted to double check!

redeyes i am like that, don't worry about it! someone says, what kind of *item* do you have? erm, erm, no idea *shrug* lol!!

we do have a few ideas of what we want the tank to be like, and i will be taking pictures! it's just going so slowly!

by planted tank, that means full of plants right? cos there are gonna be some in there. we've not had much success with plants in the tank that will be replaced by the bigger tank, but we're hoping cos it's start afresh that we'll have more success. if not, we'll get some silk ones. no idea what the problem is, as the plants in our other tank thrive and grow so well.

thanks for the help!

 

[RedeyesUK]

Right, I've had a look at my setup, I was going to take a pic but my camera battery is flat!

I've got a 2x40w double T8 starter unit (make unknown, it's right down the back of the tank and I really don't feel like trying to pull it out to look!), connected up to a 42" Power-Glo tube at the front, and a 42" Sun-Glo at the rear. I selected those as I wanted to have some half decent plant growth, I don't know if it was the best choice, but it seems to be working.

If you're not worried about plants, then you'd probably be fine with a single 40W T8 unit, it's plenty bright enough, but all I can say is the plants I have are growing like crazy with my setup, with no ferts or CO2 (yet).

You can see my tank setup here

HTH!