Shredding light on Aquarium Lighting

[eylk]

Hello,

I had the idea of learning and starting a planted tank with a T5 light. Being an 'intelligent' customer, i decided to read up more on it before rushing to get myself one. I had a better understanding of aquarium light which in turn, brings about more questions and honestly.... agony!!

Im just gonna go on a rant here and spam my questions, I hope experts here can help me out. (Save me!) !!! BE WARNED : This is possibly the most lengthy newbie thread you have ever came across! !!!!

First of all, Jargons:

Incandescent?

UVA? UVB?

Actinic and Infrared? I can roughly understand that actinic has something to do with blue (about 10000k?) and is usually used for reef tanks.

Gallons... US gallons right?
------

Am I getting it right?

Watts per gallon is just a general rule and so is Kevins. We really should be looking at 400-700NM, peaking in red and blue and lumens, realated to PAR and PUR. Kevins is color temperature and the main purpose it serves is that it determines the way the tank looks. Nm cannot be coverted to K and vice versa. (right?)

And CRI.. well I really dont undertand CRI. I think it has something to do with how human eyes percieve light, which also falls along the lines of how you want your tank to look...
And..

------

T5 questions.

I read that T5 give out more lumens than CFLs, is that true? Because a lot of the sites selling aquarium lights doesn't really give any indication of Lumens.
Also, I dont recall reading any gauge for Lumens. I have read the 2-3wpg rule but what about lumens? is there a 2-3 lumen per watt rule or 2-3 lumen per gallon or something?

Its popular cos it can squeeze more power into a tank give its size. (right?)
HO T5 means it can squeeze even MORE power into a tank (right?). Why should I go for T5 when I can get the other Ts, T8, T12, etc.
Is it because of space constrains?
And do people get a HO T5 for the same reasons? Are all T5 HO?
Do I really need CO2 supplementation if I get a T5 HO?

All T5 have the same pins? If I were to get a t5 fixture, I can get different t5 bulbs from different companies and it will still fit right?

------

Light Products that produces lighting.

I was introduced to a Arcadia T5 Plant Pro bulb -> http://www.arcadia-uk.info/product.php?pid=34&mid=10&lan=en&sub=&id=4
Im attracted by the red and blue peaks it claims but the thing is.. It doesnt state the Lumens and without the Kevin rating, I dont think I will know how the colour of the light.

Im currently exploring the other brands that I have read in this forum and else where, such as Philips, Grolux, Interpet...

Lastly, is mixing bulbs really neccessary? If I can somehow find a bulb that satisfies the peaks in the red and blue, (range : 400-700nm) and about 65000k, and lumens factor why should I get another second bulb?

Thanks!!

[Mgamer20o0]

Incandescent?
http://www.me-dtc.com/images/heavy_duty_incandescent.jpg

ok i am going to quit lol there is two ways for me i try to keep it simple. toss some light over the tank and see what grows.

why t5 is better then cf is the fact the bulbs are smaller and each one has its own reflector. with cf you have a u bulb thats wider doesnt get as much light into the tank as the t5 with its own reflector.

people use t5 ho since its the most efficient.

[eylk]

HAHAHA thanks for the pic M gamer.. you know how in the comics when some 1 is suddenly enlighten they have use a picture to symbolise it?

I think now I have a word for it... Incandescent..

[Mgamer20o0]

we dont use them with plants so who cares lol some people like the little details. you can spend countless hours reading this or that until your head explodes. i am sure someone can come in here sooner or later and give you all the little things you want or find links. the best i can do is you tell me what you want to do and i can explain how to do it lol

[eylk]

There's always the 'by the book' approach and the 'been doing it by experience' way.. Since Im new, I figure i'll go by the book.. if however, I still dun understand then I will just get a 65000k T5 and stick with the 2-3 wpg rule.. hahaha

and while u are here.. can I confirm with u if all T5 pins are the same? and based on ur experience is it a must for CO2 if I were to use T5 HO? (Im thinking its not, because there are many other factors involved.)

Thanks!

[Mgamer20o0]

yes for the most part they are all the same. just because you use t5ho doesnt mean you must use co2.

[eylk]

thanks

[TwoTankAmin]

Here you go- everything you want to know about lighting: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/4742/lighting.html

[jpappy789]

I'd have to agree with Mg here LOL...the most common mistake it people get too caught up in starting a planted tank. They research which light will give them the "best results" and spend over $100 on a fixture that doesn't suit their tank. My best advice is to always start small: low lighting with a few hardy plants. Try something and see if it works. Don't follow guidelines that say "X amount of light for X amount of gallons", or "these bulbs provide the optimum K rating for plant growth" because each setup is going to be different. Planted tanks are like your own little experiment, so you should tweak the conditions to find the best settings for your tank. Good luck!

[huffmagx]

I really don't know much about lighting but I have 2 fairly heavily planted tanks . I run the fixtures that came with aquarium ( I know, I know its just not done "gasp") I use yeast based CO2 and very light liquid ferts at water changes but most plants grow pretty well for me.
Look at my avatar for a snipet of a planted tank with guppies in it and that is when it was fairly new now the plants are more lush and less algae the tank is crystal clear.

I guess what I am trying to say is you don't HAVE to spend a ton on anything to have a really nice looking planted tank it just all really depends on you and what you want.

God Bless and good luck with whatever you choose I am sure you will have a beautiful tank either way.

[eylk]

First of all I would like to thank all you for your replies..

And as a side note.. for the thread title I actually mean shedding light... but oh well..

TwoTankAdmin, Thanks for the light.
and huffmagx you have a nice tank !

Now for the tank...
I have no idea what kind of tank I want. CO2 is definitely out as I am still a beginner. I might not even get dry ferts or soil for my planted tank yet. Im still learning alot bout ferts. One thing is for sure. I want to get a lighting system for the long run, which means that when I finally become a professional, I dont have to upgrade or buy a new one.

as for reading and dwelling too much on the raw data and information.. well since Im in no hurry I might as well take my time.. I also intend to minimise (insert the marketing jargon where buyers regret the decision made, within a short period of time after purchase). Lastly, I killed a tank full of cichlids before I found out what a quarantine tank was, so that really hit me hard in the face.. and pocket.

Thanks

[nickmcmechan]

i would agree with the start with low light and low plants and take it from there approach

[Mgamer20o0]

co2 is easy. if its something you might want its best to over buy the lights. such as buying a 4 bulb unit yet only using 2 bulbs at first. this way you learn the ins and outs before you start bumping out the light. you can have a wonder low light tank. you dont need a lot of light and co2 but you will be limited in the plants you can keep.

i would look up some plants see what you like. then ask your self what you want.

[eylk]

I liked the idea of over buying the lights.. that way I dun have to re-buy it, or upgrade it when I want to advance my hobby.. so now im exploring how versatile it can be..

ok .. assuming i got a T5 HO. and lets say I want to start with low light.. I can turn on lesser bulbs but will leaving the bulbs on for a lesser time also do the trick? Any other ways?

thanks

[Mgamer20o0]

not as well. you prob want 8-10 hours with too much light and not being balanced it would be a little hard to do. i would just start with 1/2 of the bulbs out then add one more. then add the last when your fully ready to go.

[eylk]

got it.. thanks