Twin lights or just one?

[MaddEnemy]

I know I am asking a lot here but just trying to do this right.

The florescent light fixtures that sit on the tank, should I get one that has 2 places for a bulb or will 1 light in each fixture be fine?

125 gal tank

Basically I can have 4 lights 2 on each side of the tank or only 2 lights 1 on each side of the tank.

No doing live plants.

 

[Dragonslair]

The answer really depends on what you want to keep in the tank. If you are going to keep brightly coloured fish then the more illuminated the better. It's all a matter of personal choice. Just remember though, if the tank is going to get natural light and artificial light you need to keep a close check on algal blooms. Once algae gets a hold it will be difficult to get rid of it.

 

[MaddEnemy]

It seems like a nightmare to keep fish!

Well the tank will be in the living room. No direct sun but I can't say it will be in a dark spot. SOrt of like closing the blinds and the room has enough light with out turning on the lights....

 

[tstenback]

I would always go with more in this hobby as you never know what you will be doing down the road. If you find the lighting too bright just twist one of the bulbs so it stays off. I have found that even if you dont have demanding plants that bright light makes it all look sooooooooooo good. For those fish that dont like the bright lights make sure you have some shaded areas or caves for them. You can create shaded areas with floating plants or heavily planted areas in the tank and rocks. Good luck with it.

 

[Jae1525]

I personaly would go for 2 Power-glo lights for my inverts and plants and 2 aqua-glo to show off my other fish.

Remember you have 2 change yor aquarium lights once a year even if they still light up because neon lights are only effective for this period of time!

I suspect that with a 125 gal tank lights will cost u a fortune esp if you have 2 change 4 at once!! Maybe you could install the lights gradually one ev 4 months! That way u wouldnt have 2 pay out a lump sum all at once!?
Or you could just beat up old ladies for their pension? Or old men i'm not fussy but the old ladies make a louder noise when you beat them.

 

[Acrus]

What do you mean you need to replace them even if they light up?? If they produce light then that clearly means that they are working.

What exactly do you mean, i'm-a little confused by your steatement

 

[MaddEnemy]

What do you mean you need to replace them even if they light up?? If they produce light then that clearly means that they are working.

What exactly do you mean, i'm-a little confused by your steatement

Even if they still work after a year or so the quality of the light is reduced. I can't explain it in full and I know it sounds weird but just think of it as tires on a car.

Just because you have tires on your car doesn't mean they do not need to be replaced before they loose all their rubber. You want to replace them when the tread gets low but not bald.

You can keep your lights until they go out but the quality of light for your fish will keep getting worse. You ever been in an office where lights flicker, go on and off or maybe on but doesn't give out the light it should? Once you put a new bulb in the whole office lights up? A year is probably the safest time to replace but you could go 1 1/2 years, just depends. We see the light every day so we do not notice that the light is not as bright as it was when we first put the bulbs in.

I only know this because the same is true when I raised Venomous Snakes.

 

[Acrus]

Great comparison! and it makes total sense, seems how neon lights use *dah* Neon Gas.. I should have caught onto that right away. Humm.... now that i am aware of that I should replace my light, believe it or not, but it's about 6 years old. hehe

What did you say is the best to use?