lighting newbie, question

[statman]

Im going to be trying to grow some easy low light plants in a 120g tank, I really have no knowledge at all about changing/upgrading lights.

The hood(s) on my tank each hold one light for a total of 2, they dont say what their wattage is but Im assuming its definately sub par. I measured the bulb and Im gettin 23", the closest match I can find is 24", what do ya think? Maybe im just somwhere measuring wrong? Anyway to my main question...

Im thinking of 2 of these maybe? http://bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=23819;category_id=2907;pcid1=1843;pcid2= These are going in your standard stock hood, do I run any risk or anything of over powering it or what not? I'd rather not burn the house down.

Thanks.

 

[TheMainer]

I am not positive about this, but I have a feeling a 75watt flourescent is not going to work in your stock hood. The current ballast that is in there now probably cannot handle that much. Have you checked to see the wattage on the current lights in there now?

I don't know how much mone you have to spend, but you are going to want around 1.5 watts per gallon or more of lighting. I personally would look for a new fixture that I could put above my tank if I was in your shoes. Some people suggest CF lights, others would suggest T8's or T5's.

Others might have suggestions on how you can modify your current hoods. I don't have too much experience in that area.

 

[statman]

Would 2 of these work as fixtures atleast? http://bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=32847;category_id=1853;pcid1=1843;pcid2= I would get new bulbs for sure. They only come with 18w bulbs, how many max watts do you think I could run per bulb?

 

[Lotus]

For any kind of plants, even low light, you're going to need at least 120 watts over your tank. So, the T5 fixtures aren't going to cut it.

Your only real choice is to upgrade your fixtures, putting different bulbs in a fixture won't change much, as the output of the light is determined by the fixture itself, not the bulbs.

Unfortunately, it probably won't be cheap. If you're really good at DIY there are probably some solutions that aren't too expensive.

Is this a 62" tank? If not, what's the length?

 

[statman]

its about 60-60 1/2. i have a real small tape meausure so its hard to get an accurate measure.

could you link me to some suggestions then please? im not having much luck on my own finding a solution.

 

[Lotus]

Two of these would work: http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=31566;category_id=1875;pcid1=1843;pcid2=

You could also consider a retrofit into your existing fixtures. The 55w ones seem like they would fit: http://www.ahsupply.com/36-55w.htm

 

[statman]

well thank you very much. *thumbsups

 

[statman]

would that be ok lighting also for my tank, i wouldnt need to swap bulbs would i?

 

[Lotus]

That lighting would work for low light plants. The bulbs in the fixture at Big Als are perfect for planted tanks. The AH supply 6500K bulbs would be good, too, if you go for the retrofit.

There is a double fixture in the same brand which would give you more plant choices, but they're $160 each, and I know that's a lot of money to spend if you don't know if you like real plants.

 

[statman]

i posted roughly the same question on another forum, just to get as many opinions as possible. the main concern with using the big als one i had pretty much decided on, is they say since my tank is quite tall, it wont really be enough.

what do you think? i was looking at the dual lighted ones, but wow, over $300 to get two of them is out of my price range. Could I just buy higher wattage bulbs for the single light one, if so, how high watt do ya think i can get?

 

[Lotus]

The problem is, it's the fixture itself that determines the wattage that is output, not the bulbs, so getting higher power bulbs won't do a thing.

How deep is your tank?

 

[statman]

the tank is 24" deep.

 

[Lotus]

Well, the double fixture would be better, but it's pretty expensive.

There is this one, but you would have to change the bulbs: http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=26 That one's a single fixture, but the same site also has 30" double fixtures. I have bought from that site with no problems, but I think some other people have been unhappy with their service.

 

[statman]

wow very cool site. http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=210 2 of these, with different bulbs wouldt cost all that much really, look good to you? how many watts per bulb do ya think?

 

[Lotus]

Those are 65 watt bulbs (two in each fixture). On that site, you could get these bulbs: http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=126 For planted tanks, something between 5000K and 10,000K (Kelvin) is good, with something in the 6500K range being the preferred "color temperature."

 

[statman]

any idea of what problems people have had with aquatraders? their prices seem really good, i'd like to hear the bad before i give them my money though.

 

[statman]

well i just placed my order. the bulbs you linked me are out of stock, too bad, great deal.

do you think i could get by just replacing the blue bulbs with 6700k 65 watters, or do the 12000k ones need to go bye bye also?

 

[statman]

anyone? is a 65w 12k bulb too much? the lights came today and are awesome..just need to get bulbs now, should i replace this one or is it fine?