Making A Custom Light Rack

[Jdubz]

Hey all,

Im planning to put 2 more tubes in the tank but diddnt want to put any screws into the hood(knowing me i'd break it) but at the mo its only got 2 resting on the sides of the tank,

At the mo:

the plan:

im going to make a base on the left and right to mount the tube clips for the lights out of either plastic or wood but my main dilemma is the reflectors,

I want to know what would be better no2 (having 4 seperate reflectors together with no gaps) or no3 having a mirror cut to size with holes drilled for clips and having 2 reflectors on the end.


Any ideas welcome,

Jake

 

[Truck]

why do you need 4 WPG!!?? you will need 2 max all plants will grow under that, and fermentation CO2 will not be ok with a 200 litre tank and that highlight, pressurized is the way to go and high ferts too!

 

[rabbut]

If you aren't running EI under 4WPG, you will likely get algea issues

From an efficency stand point, 4 individual reflectors are best

All the best
Rabbut

 

[SuperColey1]

I have to agree with all the above and thank god they are T8s and not T5s!!!

4WPG is not needed for plants in the slightest. I had to check your location to see if you were from the US (The US still seem to go for crazy light)

Fermentation would be troublesome on a 200Ltr tank with the light you already have.

Ferts regime is going to have to be great with that light.

Summary.
You either need to go non CO2 or pressurised on your tank size.
Whatever you decide you don't need 4WPG over the tank.

I would suggest making a rack for the lights you currently have that can be added to and then going pressurised. You can up it slight at a later date if needs be but I doubt it very much.

Get familiar with fert regimes, flow needs and CO2. These areas have devloped incredibly over the past couple f years to the point that many people are way behind the current thinking!!!

As a pointer the tank in the centre of my sig has 1.25WPG in it's noon burst with full pressurised CO2!!!

AC

 

[Jdubz]

Thanks guys,

The Co2 canaster is old ive had it for a few years now and only found it in the attic 2 weeks ago and thought i would put it on, i'm looking at getting a co2 difuser and doing the fire exstinguisher setup soon,I'm also putting the interpet flora boost once a week.

i might just make a rack for the 2 tubes i got now, The main reason for all the power is i want to put a javamoss carpet growing onto some bogwood on the left hand side of the tank with some riccia caves.

Jake

 

[Jdubz]

Right peeps,

Got up early this morning and made the rack:

Mounting block:

cut to size:

Adding the clips:

Completed!!!:

What you guys think?

Jake

 

[SuperColey1]

Is there any reason you have put both lights together in the middle?

Are all your plants in the centre of the substrate with none at the back and non in the foreground?

What I would do is space them better to get better light spread over the entire substrate. Measure the tank, divide by 3 and then 1 light a third from the front and 1 a third from the rear.

AC

 

[Jdubz]

Good point,

I'm going to add a moonlight bulb for night viewing in between the two other tubes so it spreds out the light like you said.

Thanks for the replies

Jake