Lighting Upgrade For 90 G

[severn]

hi..

i'd like to turn my altum tank into a great looking planted tank...

i have a rena classic 120 x 50 cm 360ltres approx...
the tank does not have a conventional hood but metal lighting bars that currently hold 4 X 30w t8..

as far as ive read my best option would be high output t5 rather than compact flourescent ...apparently the lumen per watt output is better...and there seem to be alot of problems with the interpet pc units for example.
i may well be heading towards getting 2 x aracdia double t5 controllers and may be their new plant bulbs ..which i could then hopefully somehow fix onto my existing lighting bars...

is the best value/quality option available in the u.k. ?

i do realise im gonna need pressurised co2 and would also appreciate advice on putting one of these together or where to get the cheapest deal ..even though i realise its gonna sting me i am temepted by the added security of a ph controller,,,many people here use them....?

thanks

 

[Themuleous]

Think that lighting you suggest would work well. The PC T5 option would work well to and give you that bit more light. Interpet are supposed to have sorted the heat issue, if you're still not sure ASL do a PC light which you can get from here. These are supposed to be good, I know Zig uses them without any problems. I guess the other option is a few more T8 tubes? T8 are good, yes not as intense as T5, but can still work well and are relatively cheap in comparison.

If you added two more T8 tubes of 30w each that would give you 180W or 1.9 WPG which I would think would be plenty enough light over a 90g tank (BTW its 95USg which is what you use to work out the WPG )

As for CO2 for this size tank I would recommend you set you're own kit using a fire extinguisher or pub type cylinder if you're able, a 500g cylinder aint goona last long! My sig has a link to various pressurized CO2 threads.

HTH

Sam

 

[George Farmer]

Hi severn and welcome to TFF!

Great to hear that you are planning a high-tech set up. Your Altums will appreciate a densely planted tank as well as the lower pH that CO2 injection brings.

You are of course correct to want more light. It's a shame that Rena don't fit 42" 38W T8 tubes, they would fit fine and the light would probably be sufficient for most plants (almost 2wpg).

I would personally go for HO T5 over PC. The largest PCs are 22" so you would need to probably fit two units lengthways in order to acheive decent light spread, not sure how feasable this is with your tank. Reflectors are hard to find for PCs too unless you DIY. HO T5 reflectors are available, the Arcadia models are good, as are the D&D but are pricey. I'd stick with the Arcadia personally.

Have you considered an open top tank with overtank luminaire? http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/addtobask...tp=473&rets=149 This would solve your lighting in one go. If you wanted to grow plants out of the tank and have protruding wood too it would be ideal.

Sam's advice on CO2 is good. pH controllers are ideal but beware they need regular calibrating and malfunction can result in disaster, although this is unlikely if you keep your bubble rate sensible and regularly monitor.

Have you considered substrate and water column fertilisation yet?

Good luck with it all. It would be great to see some pics too, I love Altums!