Ordinary Fluorescent Lighting

[SpongeDan]

I've ditched my old tank hood in favour of a custom-fit clear perspex sheet type setup so that I can keep snails and shrimp in my tank without having to worry about them escaping. Also, it looks nicer.

I like it. However, I am wondering what to do about a light source. My tank is kept near (but not directly in front of) a south-facing window, but I'd like to add a little light (15-25 watts) for my plants.

Because I have no hood, I have nowhere to put a light. I was looking at those clip-on lights on eBay (link) but they all look a bit cheap and fire-hazardy (Is "hazardy" a word?) Also they seem to be quite underpowered, so I'd need 2 or 3, which would be quite expensive.

But while I was at the DIY (hardware) shop, I noticed that they sold fluorescent lighting really cheap. Whereas aquarium light "starter kits" (which don't even come with a bulb) cost about £20 (link), you can pick up a similarly-powered light batten from B&Q for about £10, with a bulb included (link). (Also, for some reason, they're selling more powerful battens for even less money (link))

I was thinking that I could maybe attach one of these to the wall behind my tank. But I have some questions:
Will the ordinary fluorescent bulb help to grow plants?
If not, can I use a proper aquarium-use, plant-growing bulb in my wall-mounted batten?
Can I get a reflector for the wall-mounted bulb?
What fraction of the light will be reflected back by the perspex?
Do you think it's a stupid idea?

I'll post a link to this in the plant forum, since it's related. Please don't think I'm a spambot.

Thanks for reading,
Dan

 

[raptorrex]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...p;#entry2085057

 

[rabbut]

The batton will be fine, but the tube will need changing to a proper aquarium tube, or algea growth may explode, choaking your plants.

Perspecs will reflect light, the extent to which depends on how scratched and dirty it is. The dirtier or more scratched it gets, the more lights it reflects. This makes cleaning the covers a royal PITA, as scouring pads cannot be used to remove the algea that will grow on them

HTH some
Rabbut

 

[Renate]

What size is your tank?

If you are going to grow plants the average fluorescent bulb won't help, for they don't have the proper color spectrum. There are fluorescent tubes rated daylight that can be used. I had ordered 1 from a electrical company, which was 17 watts and cost $10. Now here in the US, fluorescent screw in bulbs rated daylight are being sold.

If I were you I would not use any lights for a month. For you can't calculate the amount of light you are getting from the window. Too much light will create algae.

I had a 10 gallon tank in a sunny area. Lighting was to screw0-in fluorescent bulbs for aquariums. When I came back from vacation had black brush algae, which led to loss of plants.

To avoid algae you have to balance light with co2. There is some Co2 in the water. Easiest way to measure it is to read the ph in the mounring and at night. The difference is the co2, so I have read. There is a web site that provides a chart, lost it due to restore. Then there is also the balance of nitrate/phosphates. Main item that causes algae is too much light, according to hoppycalif at APC.

 

[Behold]

JW Electrics if there is one near you can supply t5 and 8 bulbs at the right spectrum. my T5's were about 2.40 each and are the similar spec as the aquarium ones im running a large planted tank and have no algae bloom.

 

[Renate]

Here is some interesting info about how much light need for a small tank at this link
http/www.rexgrigg.com/mlt.html