Lighting fixtures

[JustOneMore20]

Right. Moonlights are for you, not the plants. I suppose keeping them on at night does something for the fish, but doesn't affect the plants (pos or neg).

[Manwithnofish]

I purchased a 4 lamp Tek-Light System T-5 HO lamps (4 x 39 watts). That equates to High to Very High light when converted to Lumins / sq.in. Must read this: http://woo.gotdns.com/Aquarium/Lighting.htm
Now everyone is telling me that I've got too much light (haven't figured it out yet).

Anyway, I chose the T-5 HO's because I think they give off less heat than most other systems and I did not want to have to purchase a Chiller system to control the water temp or fans and blowers to move the heat.

Tek-Light is made by Sunlight Supply Inc www.sunlightsupply.com
I purchased them through Specialty-Lights http://www.specialty-lights.com/teklightaqua.html

[JustOneMore20]

T5s do give off less heat, but unless you have the tank in a warm room or you live somewhere that has hot summers you shouldn't need a chiller. PC lighting doesn't give off that much heat and that fixture you linked to (dogs) has 4 fans.

[dogsare4losers]

Ok good I was just checking...
I was looking into t-5's as well but truth be told I can't go for the real expensive things, yet. For lighting I am looking into some cheaper deals (why my link was ebay :P). Later on I may look into co2/really nice lights.

Yeah my summers in VA are mild and my house is mostly around 72 degrees everyday or less. So I don't think lighting is going to overheat my tank. And yes JOM I did notice the 4 fans.

Thanks for helping and even if I don't go for your suggestions I am thankful all the same and I also like any advice I can get, as I am relitively new to the hobby.

[Manwithnofish]

Originally Posted by JustOneMore20

that much heat and that fixture you linked to (dogs) has 4 fans.

Not sure what light system comes up on the link, but the Tek-Light T-5 HO has no fans. It has 4 lamps on two separate switches / a/c cords.

There is a chart on this link. The sixth column from left in the table called Limitations, is where I saw that Compact Florescent lamps may require a chiller. I've never owned one, I was just going by this chart.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/ar...pt_id=&aid=350

[dogsare4losers]

Not sure what light system comes up on the link,

Does the link not work 4 you because it does for me?
Ok basically it has 2" legs to raise it, 4x65 watts, and is heavily ventilated (also 8 moonlights) It comes new in the box because I think the seller makes it (maybe? I'm not sure) and is only $130 with shipping included. I think I can choose the bulbs and would most likely end up with 2 10,000K daylight bulbs and 2 6,500K bulbs, and I would run the 6,500 around 10 hrs and the 10,000 (with the 6,500) 4-5 hrs.

I don't think I would need a chiller considering how my temp. around the tank would be plus the fans

But if I remember correctly I would be saving around $200 (give or take some I can't remember the exact price on the t-5's you mentioned MWNF). Like I said I will look into nice lighting...or I may not if these lights do their job.

Thanks for all your help everyone

[Manwithnofish]

Does the link not work 4 you because it does for me?

I didn't pay any attention to what that particular link brought up. I was simply pointing him to Specialty-Lighting and Sunlight Supplies websites so he could explore which might best suit him. I wasn't really saying he should by the Tek-Light T-5 HO. It's just what I did and where I found it.

Sorry, I see now you weren't talking about me.

[dogsare4losers]

So MWNF what do you think of the system?

[Manwithnofish]

The light is very well made. Excellant quality. It will work in a canopy (many would not because they have exhaust fans built into the end of the light fixture). You can also purchase mounting brackets made for aquariums like mine (Oceanic) with wooden trims around the top. It comes with the German lamps which I think are of the highest quality. I remember there was an important distinction with the ballast needing to be smart electronically switched or something along those lines. Be sure to read about ballast.

Honestly, I am completely new to the hobby, so I had nothing to go on. The entire subject is very difficult to get a handle on. I was getting (and still do get) very conflicting advice from the forums. Some said for a 25" planted aquarium, I would need from 2 to 3 wpg. Half the people were telling me that 156 watts was for a Saltwater tank, while the other half said it might not be enough. I read as much as I could, I talked to the lfs, shopped around and purchased the Tek-Light.

I'm still not sure what to do. I think I'm coming to the conclusion (or being told so anyway) that I'll have to go to pressurized CO2 and EI dosing. Sometimes this whole thing just gets way too technical and I think I should have just bought a goldfish in a small round bowl. I'm coming to the conclusion that everyone tells you that (to use CO2 & EI) because that's what everyone is doing. It's what they know. In reality, there just isn't enough low-tek hobbist out there or maybe they just don't hang out on forums. It seems there is an overwhelming consensus opinion pushing everything down this 'high-tek' route. So, make up your mind right up front what your objectives are. Low-tek based on fewer plants maybe with less light or high-tek based on high light, CO2 suppliment, and dosing to support lots of plants. I don't know if any of that is correct, it's just my perception as someone who bought my first everything last month.

My point is that I'm still not sure if it's the "right" light system, but I think if I ever decide to go 'high tek', I know I have enough light.

You should really check out those links I posted (and any others). The watts per gallon thing can be very difficult because it really doesn't mean anything.

[dogsare4losers]

MWNF I am very new as well... Truth be told a lot of what I know right now is straight from justonemore and I think she really does know what she's talking about. I also did a lot of research just on search engines, I found the same thing as you, conflicting answers. I continued on research and talking to jom and finally decided upon a system of 190-250 watts would give me medium lighting for a heavily planted 75 gallon tank. Anything more and then I would be into co2 and everything...even 240 or 250 is just asking for algae. So I have basically asked jom every single question I have and seeing how she's a moderator and has 5 successful planted tanks running I trust her fully. She is also very nice and doesn't get mad at "newbie" questions. I learned a lot from my lfs (it is locally owned and I know the owner, he isn't always just trying to make a sale, in fact once he didn't let me buy a $30 fish a few months ago and explained cycling and overstocking and so on)

But all in all I have come to the conclusion that the best way to learn is to actually "do". You have to try stuff to learn and gain experiance. If one tank crashes figure out what you did wrong and try not to do it in the next attempt. Goldfish in a bowl seem so simple don't they , but after learning all this I know that a goldfish wouldn't last in there and even with it's simplicity I wouldn't allow myself to.

[JustOneMore20]

If you look at this chart, you'll see that T5 HO is definitely more efficient than power compact when it comes to lumens per watt. They also run cooler, so thats another plus. That's not to say that power compact lighting isn't good and I know you aren't saying that MWNF (atleast I don't think you are). I know you did your research and found that the Tek fixture was the best for you. That is a great fixture and the brand gets alot of praise and if money was no issue, then it would be good for dogsare4losers. I wouldn't say that T5 HO is so much better than PC that its justified to spend that much more money on them.....but that's just my opinion. You can grow plants fine with PCs.

I have not had a T5 HO fixture on my planted tanks yet, but I'm considering one for my 20 long. I am a little more partial to PCs just because that's all I've used. I've read that PC bulbs are just a twisted T5 but the shape of them makes them lose some efficiency.

Usually its just a personal preference as to which people go with (planted tanks and reefs). For a beginner I guess you just have to research (like both of you have) and decide which is best for you.

I am NOT claiming to be an expert at any of this. I've done my research and read and got suggestions from people just like you have over the years.

I linked you earlier in the thread to the Nova Extreme T5 HO fixtures which don't have as good reflectors as the Teks, but they are cheaper (even with having to buy 2 2x54w fixtures). When you multiply it out using the multiplier for the wpg rule (which isn't set in stone as you can see, but is mainly a guide) you get about the same number for 4x54w T5 and 4x65w PC wpg-wise and actually the T5 HO gives you slightly higher wpg. But, whats 0.2wpg gonna do for you?

Basically either way you go, you should have good luck growing plants. And with all 4 bulbs on in either fixture, without any co2, you'll eventually face algae issues, so only keep 2 bulbs on your whole lighting period and have the other 2 on for a midday burst of about 4 hours. When you get co2, you can fire all 4.