Types of light?

[Beeker]

I'm either going to buy a hood or a new strip light for my tank. What is the difference between the different types of light? I saw a compact strip light with lunar lights on Big Al's. What is lunar light for? I just need some proper light to be able to keep live plants in my tank and, of course, safe for my fish. Please help with terms and any suggestions on brand names and types of light.

For example this light on Big Al's is described as this:
This Current USA Satellite Power Compact Fixture is a single strip light which contains 2 SunPaq SmartPaq bulbs and 2 Lunar Lights. Lunar Lights are small LED's which sit in the fixture above the bulbs. The SmartPaq Lamp is a combination bulb comprised of 10,000K and 460nm Actinic. The SmartPaq bulb produces 3 times the output of standard fluorescent bulbs and has double the life (12 months). This model has one switch.

Do I need all that for Comets and plants in a 75 gal. tank? Or a 10 gal. with a beta and a few other misc. fish and plants?

[blitzen25bm]

compact lights works well for planted tanks. make sure the bulbs are for freshwaterplants and your good. the lunar lights are basically night lights for freshwater aquariums. they are used mostly on reef tanks to simulate lunar conditions and allows for nighttime viewing.

you should reconsider the 75 gallon. comets get too big for them and are cold water. most planted tanks will do better heated and the comets will most likely uproot all the plants in there.

[FishKeeper-16]

Yeah it is best to keep comets in a pond or larger tank and about lighting I thing strip lights are best and most economical and I like the Coralife 50/50 bulbs were it has white and actinic blue and that is good for plants.

[Archangel]

Just some Aquariums/Plant bulbs from Home Depot for $8 bucks. Most bulbs you find in fish stores are designed for Reef aquariums, or for serious planted tanks.

Also, Goldfish and Plants don't mix well for the reasons stated above. Cold water fish: Warm needing Plants, and the Goldfish will uproot the plants.

[Blinky]

Do I need all that for Comets and plants in a 75 gal. tank? Or a 10 gal. with a beta and a few other misc. fish and plants?
The short answer is, IMHO, no. Satellites aren't cheap and for your needs that light is probably not necessary. I have one, it's a great light, but if I only wanted to keep a few plants I wouldn't have made the investment.

If you're thinking of getting a hood, it's important to note that Satellites are made for use over glass tops. They heat up too much to be housed inside a hood.

If I remember correctly, you want to keep some fairly easy plants (Java fern, Java moss, Anubias, etc.) For low-light plants, a shoplight underneath a nice looking hood will meet the plants' needs and look great, and will cost less than an Orbit or Satellite fixture.

[Beeker]

Thank you all.
Blinky,
Great memory! Thank you very much! :D
Do you know what the temperature requirement is for those plants?

[Blinky]

AFAIK most of the commonly available plants will do fine in average aquarium temperatures (72-82F ish).
You've been working so hard getting ready for these plants, I definitely want to see some pics when it's done :D

[Beeker]

I'm figuring on a strip light for the big tank. I already have the glass for it. As far as the heaters go, Big Al's brand heater is A LOT cheaper. But, is it as good as the Aquarium Systems brand? Which one should I buy? I have to buy one for a 10 gal and one for a 75 gal.

Blinky,
I will. I hope I don't let you down. :)
Thank you for all your help.

[FishKeeper-16]

Sometimes like me "If you buy cheap, you get cheap". Find a good quality heater because sometimes the cheaper, low quality models can stick in the on position and boil your fish alive, a good heater is a visitherm.

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=127

[FishKeeper-16]

Also I forgot to mention, A ten gallon needs at least 50 watts.

[Beeker]

Fishkeeper,
Thank you very much for the link and the info. That was perfect! Just what I was looking for! :)

[Beeker]

I just got my new strip light today and set it up. I'm excited to get started on improving my large tank and to begin setting up my small tank. This is the strip light I bought from "That Pet Place."

Place-a-Lite Refl. Oak Fluor. 48" (Perfecto)
Place-a-Lite reflectors are the perfect lighting fixtures for all aquariums. Complete with long-lasting fluorescent bulb, this fixture features high-quality construction and oak wood-grain finish detail.
Other features include: injection molded--made of high impact polystyrene, good for fresh or saltwater, fits all brand of tanks, vented for heat dissipation, water resistant rubber boot protects switch from corrosion, the inside is a shiny reflective material. Must be used with a glass or acrylic top.
Comes with one T-10 (1.5" diameter) 48" bulb.
**A T-12 sized lamp will also work with this fixture**
Size:
48" x 4.5" x 2.75" high.
Warranty:
Fixture has a 90 day warranty against defects in materials and workmanship

Thank you all for your help. :)

[Malachite]

I just got my new strip light today and set it up. I'm excited to get started on improving my large tank and to begin setting up my small tank. This is the strip light I bought from "That Pet Place."

Place-a-Lite Refl. Oak Fluor. 48" (Perfecto)
Place-a-Lite reflectors are the perfect lighting fixtures for all aquariums. Complete with long-lasting fluorescent bulb, this fixture features high-quality construction and oak wood-grain finish detail.
Other features include: injection molded--made of high impact polystyrene, good for fresh or saltwater, fits all brand of tanks, vented for heat dissipation, water resistant rubber boot protects switch from corrosion, the inside is a shiny reflective material. Must be used with a glass or acrylic top.
Comes with one T-10 (1.5" diameter) 48" bulb.
**A T-12 sized lamp will also work with this fixture**
Size:
48" x 4.5" x 2.75" high.
Warranty:
Fixture has a 90 day warranty against defects in materials and workmanship

Thank you all for your help. :)




I think that is the one that came with my aquarium. It is ok but IMHO I like to have more light. I think this is only a 40 watt fixture if it is like mine. I have a 75 Gallon so the 2 to 3 watt per gallon rule puts me at needing 150W to 225W. I only have a few plants now but later one I want to fill the back in order to have a completely covered background. I found a strip light that uses T-5 bulbs. I am still trying to find out hoew they compare to CF when it comes to heat because I have a canopy on my tank. They are also very pricey still.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=12105&ref=3055&subref=AQ&N=2004+113030+22749

[Beeker]

Thanks for the info. So far, it is giving me great light in my tank now. I just got the heaters today and set the big one up in my larger tank too. The 75 is ready for plants now. I'm really excited. Since I will only be getting simple plants I think the light I have should do the trick for now.