Lights, Talk To Me

[nuzik]

ive been searching lights all day and none the wiser.

my tank is 50cm deep what lights do i need if i want vegetation. I'm looking at customising what i currently have as its rubbish but don't know what to go for and don't know whats the most cost effective option

please note i can't have suspended lights as i have cats who would think it was a sushi restaurant

 

[Aquascaper]

T5 tubes would penetrate that depth and be relatively easy to custom fit however LED's would be an even easier fit.

Setup and running costs would probably work at the same (if not better for the LED), whereas T5's would be cheap to setup as opposed to LED's they will cost more in electricity to run so depends on how much you want to outlay for setup.

A photo of your current lighting would help a lot.

 

[DrRob]

Any chance of a description (or make) of what you have at the moment?

 

[nuzik]

T5 tubes would penetrate that depth and be relatively easy to custom fit however LED's would be an even easier fit.

Setup and running costs would probably work at the same (if not better for the LED), whereas T5's would be cheap to setup as opposed to LED's they will cost more in electricity to run so depends on how much you want to outlay for setup.

A photo of your current lighting would help a lot.

Any chance of a description (or make) of what you have at the moment?

hi gents check out my signature the pics of my set up are there.
I need to see my options cost wise, as i have an old fish tank light system all will be more cost effiective electrical wise but the electric price isnt an issue

 

[nuzik]

any joy in helping out with this one?

My light unit is hid in my roof, im sure i can get to it somewhere. Can anyone give me links to a T5 system thats relatively cheap to change too? i've put pics up. I have a three light system to large lights and one small one.

for those that cant see my sig here it is has the pics on http/s223.photobucket.com/albums/dd57/nuzik/

 

[Aquascaper]

What is the diameter of your tubes?

1" means they are T8
5/8" means they are T5

And lengths too

 

[nuzik]

What is the diameter of your tubes?

1" means they are T8
5/8" means they are T5

And lengths too

i've got T8's currently 600mm

 

[Aquascaper]

Ok, so your going to have to upgrade then

Retro-fitting T5's would entail changing the electronic ballasts and end caps.....not the easiest thing but doable, and would leave you with an identical setup just with better lights.

The other option would be to retro-fit LED strips where the tubes were (you could leave the end caps, etc. in place). You could just buy plug-and-play ones 'off the shelf' such as http/www.swelluk.com/aquarium/fish-tank-lighting-28/aquabeam-lights-1109/tmc-aquabeam-600-ultra-strip-reef-white-single--249453.html or alternatively get some custom made.

 

[nuzik]

Ok, so your going to have to upgrade then

Retro-fitting T5's would entail changing the electronic ballasts and end caps.....not the easiest thing but doable, and would leave you with an identical setup just with better lights.

The other option would be to retro-fit LED strips where the tubes were (you could leave the end caps, etc. in place). You could just buy plug-and-play ones 'off the shelf' such as http/www.swelluk.com/aquarium/fish-tank-lighting-28/aquabeam-lights-1109/tmc-aquabeam-600-ultra-strip-reef-white-single--249453.html or alternatively get some custom made.

i think the cheapest option is to retro fit the T5 lights to be honest. Think i can get a ballast for £15 and then get the ends and pick up some tubes all for about £60

 

[Aquascaper]

Certainly cheaper

T5's will penetrate the tank depth just fine and as long as the tubes are the correct spectrum (6500k) for plant growth you should see some nice results.

 

[Dazzer87]

You can get the Hagen Glo, electronic starter with the end caps and lengthy leads for around £35. I fitted it in my 2ft tank which had an existing T8 fixture and starter built in. Ripped out the old stuff and the lighting has been massive improvement (2x24W T5) from 15WT8. fitting required drilling 8 x 4mm holes and some brass M4 bolts around 15mm long and the nuts fitted in the recess of the bracket and tightened nicely.

Highly recommend the kit as its simple and good quality.

 

[nuzik]

You can get the Hagen Glo, electronic starter with the end caps and lengthy leads for around £35. I fitted it in my 2ft tank which had an existing T8 fixture and starter built in. Ripped out the old stuff and the lighting has been massive improvement (2x24W T5) from 15WT8. fitting required drilling 8 x 4mm holes and some brass M4 bolts around 15mm long and the nuts fitted in the recess of the bracket and tightened nicely.

Highly recommend the kit as its simple and good quality.

you got a link?

 

[Aquascaper]

Just Google Hagen Glo T5 Starter and you'll find loads of places sell them