T5 Lighting Q

[Rackie]

Hi,

My current tank (Fluval Vicenza 180) has a pair of 22" T5 lamps with ballast installed in the centre section of the hood (3 part hood). These are producing in the region of 1.25WPG and I intend to ramp up the lighting to at least 2 > 2.5WPG.

I am interested in the Arcadia Electronic controller (link below) and would be looking at the 24/39 Twin version as I am hoping to install an additional pair of 39W T5 lamps into the hood.

http/www.arcadia-uk.info/product.php?pid...p;sub=&id=4

Lights:
http/www.arcadia-uk.info/product.php?pid...p;sub=&id=4

The problem is that the internal dimension of the rim of the tank is exactly 34" (850mm) and the length of the tubes advertised state that these are 34" (850mm). Does this measurement include the end caps fitted or not? If it is with end caps fitted then this is a perfect fit however, if its without then its going to be a tad too large and I may have to go down to the 24W which has a length of 22".

If someone has the 39W version can they please confirm the above and also if possible provide a total length with the end caps fitted as well if the dimension provided for the lamp is just for the light.

The other thing is that I don't want to start drilling holes into the lid of the tank to fit these. There is a recess on the rim of the tank where you can 'hook' things so I was hoping I could possibly use this to fit the lights?

Many thanks.

 

[nry]

Any reason why you want more light? Are you also wanting to go for CO2 and increased fertilisation of likely nitrAte, pottasium and phosphate too?

(out of interest you have ~1 watt per gallon based on US gallons).

Going by my Interpet PC T5 tubes, the length is the length of the actual tube, end cap is extra.

 

[Rackie]

Any reason why you want more light? Are you also wanting to go for CO2 and increased fertilisation of likely nitrAte, pottasium and phosphate too?

(out of interest you have ~1 watt per gallon based on US gallons).

Going by my Interpet PC T5 tubes, the length is the length of the actual tube, end cap is extra.

Already running compressed C02 and an EI regime but with the low light some of the plants I would like to grow are not doing so well (Riccia, Glosso, Hairgrass - see a pattern here) all carpeting plants.

Spoke to Maidenhead and was advised that the lights I want to install are 34" without end caps so I have been reccomended the Interpet PC's as an alternative. These are smaller but means I have to modify the hood which I didn't want to do to be honest.

I worked out my WPG based on US gallon - Tank = 180 litres / 47 US Gallons - 2 x 24 Watt T5's = 48 total Watts = 1.25 WPG (approx - if that's correct).


Have just posted the following on the DIY section hoping for some advice as well:

I am looking to build a light support for which to mount a couple of additional T5 lamps to my tank.
I own a Fluval Vicenza 180 and I really don't want to start drilling holes in the lid/hood of the tank to fit the additional lights so I was thinking of constructing a wooden support to use which would 'brace' the length of the tank and the lights would then be attached onto this.

What is the best wood to use and also would this require a water sealent applying?

The brace would be approx 1" deep x 2" width and would be 34" in length.

I would also be fitting reflectors and possibly painting the wood (if required) in black so what would be a safe paint to use that isn't toxic and would be safe around the fish.


Paul

 

[nry]

It should be 48/47 which is a shade over 1.

But that's just pedantics

Can't comment on the Fluvals specifically - to up the lighting on my Juwel hood I ended up ripping out the existing stuff and starting again but purely because the lighting spread was poor (all light at the front of the tank). Yours sounds much better, I'm sure someone has altered or added additional lights to a Fluval hood before

 

[SuperColey1]

The Hot5s you speak of in your other thread are the solution I would say at 29".

Andy

 

[Rackie]

The Hot5s you speak of in your other thread are the solution I would say at 29".

Andy

Hi andy,

Sorry for not getting back to you about the PC's you have for sale. Realised I would need to modify my hood in order to fit these and this is not the way I want to go with this

How much difference did you notice when you had these setup. Was advised by Maidenhead to install two 55W PC's on my tank but I thought this would be overkill on the lighting, maybe two 30ish watts would be more suitable?

 

[SuperColey1]

I went from 2 x T8 18W to 1 x T8 18W + PC55W.

The 55W on its own was a massive amount brighter than the 2 T8s (36W) and with the full 73W was really bright.

This being said it was only about 2.2WPG over a 33USG tank (2.5WPG if 29USG of water) so by the rules was only med to high but damn it looked bright.

I decided to downgrade for the new scape as I think it would have been overkill.

Andy