compact lighting question

[illiswiller]

I'm a newbie to plants and currently only have low light plants in my tank but wanted to up my lights to 1-1.5 wpg for some other plants. I have an oceanic 42 gallon hex w/ a clear glass lid that the flourescent strip sits on. Can I get a compact light like this:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11418&Ntt=compact&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004+113176

and just sit it on the top like a flourescent? Or does it get too hot?

What is all this terminology like "ballasts" and mountings, and square or straight "pin" systems? Do they need fans?

Can someone explain it to me? I've tried puzzling it out on the web....but no luck.
THANKS!

[Blinky]

That's a strip light, designed to sit over a glass top with the ends resting on the frame of the aquarium. PC fixtures get hot, but not as hot as other types of light. If you get that particular fixture, some sizes come with fans but the smaller ones don't if I remember correctly. I imagine this is because larger bulbs and dual/quad bulb fixtures put out more heat, whereas single-bulb smaller fixtures don't create enough heat to need a fan.
Mountings may refer to docking mounts - little legs that attach to the ends of the light and sit on the edges of the tank (though I'm not sure they'd work on a hex unless it's a fixture specifically designed for a hex tank). They raise the light up above the water so heat is dissipated, but you lose a lot of light by doing this. I have a Satellite fixture, and decided against using the docking mounts.
Pins are important - PC bulbs come with four little pins at the end, which plug into the fixture. You need to know if your fixture requires straight pin (....) bulbs, or square ( :: ), because they're not interchangeable.
HTH :)

[james1644]

Both the Satellite and Orbit are made by Current-USA, and as long as you have a glass top you can sit it on top and it does not get hot. I have the dual orbit for my planted 15 gal tall which is a 20 inch light and it has (2) daylight bulbs fans and (2) moonlights for nighttime. Really cool when setup with a timer.

One thing about the Satellite and the Orbit is that they are designed for the marine aquarium so you will need to change out the bulb for the SunPaq 6700/10,000 bulb riding the light system of atenic lighting.

As for the pins it has to do with German design and Japan design. I forget how it goes but I think that the straight pin is the German which is 4 pins straight across and the square is two sets of pins on top of each other to form a square.

The orbit comes with the legs for the light, but IMO I like the light better without them. The light was a great investment and I have seen definate results from the extra light. Good luck

Jim

[Karnaaj]

Hex tanks are notoriously difficult to light properly for plants. Also 1 to 1.5wpg is still considered low light. Good enough for Anubias, Crypts, Java Fern etc., not good enough for swords and most stem plants.

[illiswiller]

Thanks so much for the replies, that clears up a lot of confusion for me re: the compact lights. I wish they would just call the pins the "socket" like a real light! :rolleyes:

Hmmmm. So what should I do? How many wpg would you recommend for a hex? I thought 1-1.5 wpg was adequate? :confused:
The other thing (I was thinking) - is that it gets a couple hours of pretty direct good morning sun if I open the drapes....and generally it is a very light room. I thought that would off-set the low electric lighting? Was that false-thinking?

So, could I adapt the flourescent strip I have somehow? Or get a stronger flourescent? Can you give me a better recommendation that isn't too extremely $$ ? The other thing is aesthetics. It's a maple tank and stand, so a big silver or black "thing" on top.......my husband will complain (he made the cabinet himself out of maple wood - b/c he didn't like the look of anything else). ;)

Thanks so much again.

[Karnaaj]

I can't help you much on the Hex lighting. If you want you can try posting your question over at The Planted Tank Forum (http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/) if you don't have any luck here.

[illiswiller]

Good idea - Thanks K!

[james1644]

As another thought since so much time has been put into the looks of the tank is to look online for a Do It Yourself light similar to teh one that you already have, but you can modify the ballast (Connections for bulbs) to get the desired watts per gallon that you want. Hope this helps

Jim

[Captain Hook]

The problem with hex tanks is they are very tall with a fairly narrow base. I personally would do vallisneria plants with some small anubias or crypts. Vals are tall grassy plants and can easily get 3-4' long. Vals, anubias, and crypts are not very light demanding. If it were my tank I'd get a 65 watt light and maybe angelfish. This would definitely be considered a low light tank.

2 x 65 watts should give you a solid amount of light. However it may also require CO2 addition, which is more costly and extra maintenance. Fert requirements increase with the light and CO2. I honestly can't say for sure it would need CO2 but I know it would help the plants.

A major problem with PC's is their narrow distribution of light. In your tank this probably won't be too big of an issue. Legs can be used to raise the fixture and spread the light a bit more.

Sunlight is tough because you can't control it. People have had success using it but others talk of algae problems.

I made a canopy out of wood for my tank. It holds regular fluorescent shop lights. I'd say aim for at least 1.5 - 2 wpg of regular fluorescents for your tall tank. This could be tough, I'm not sure what your dimensions are.
Wooden top to hold lights (http://pna.pricenetwork.ca/gallery/albums/userpics/13267/normal_IMG_6530.JPG)

[illiswiller]

Thanks !

Jim that is a good idea....my husband is really handy w/ everything from woodworking to elecricity - I just hate asking him to do more...but I will tell him what I've heard so far here and see if he offers. :o

Hook - Thanks, really good ideas too! I have some anubias, amazon (transplaned from a 10 that will need to back I guess), and java... And yes I love angels and have two in there currently - w/ those tall plants you mention they will look nice. So I will look into those. VERY nice tank, I'll show it to him. :)

I also have the Hagen CO2 (cheap) diffuser. It is only ranked for up to 20 gallons but I figured any little bit helps??? I've been scared to use it though and keep unplugging it b/c my KH is REALLY low 40 ppm and my pH is bottoming out... So I wasn't sure if it was b/c of the CO2 diffuser? I feel like such an amateur!

Thanks so much you guys :bowing: - your tanks look so nice!

PS dimensions are weird - each side is like 12.25 inches, it is ~25.25 at the widest (side to side) and 22 long (deep or front to back).

[sillyputty]

Great question Illiswiller! I have a 37G tall so have alot of the same issues about lighting. I really don't want to get into CO2 yet but would like to increase my lighting with a 65 Watt compact. I will be happy with easy relatively low light plants, though. The 20 watt I have now doesn't cut it. I do have some Java ferns that seem to be surviving just fine but they of course won't grow.

Captain Hook, I love the look of your 25G Tall. What is the lighting and can you tell what those plants are?

[illiswiller]

Thanks sillyputty - good luck w/ yours!

OK I've read a bit this weekend and tried to solve my KH problem too... So which of these options are the best for the money?

I've decided I can't retro-fit anything b/c my husbnad is overwhelmed w/ work and he'd need to do it....so I'm just going to buy something I can set on top for now. Can you please advise which is the best of the following? Or recommend a specific flourescent set up? THANKS!

Satellite 2x40
http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW/F52/Class/Fish+Supplies+Lighting+Fixtures/T1/F52+0434+0055/EDP/44120/Itemdy00.aspx

Satellite 1x65
http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW/F52/Class/Fish+Supplies+Lighting+Fixtures/T1/F52+0434+0050/EDP/44115/Itemdy00.aspx

Orbit 2x40
http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW/F52/Class/Fish+Supplies+Lighting+Fixtures/T1/F52+0434+0001/EDP/42622/Itemdy00.aspx

[Karnaaj]

The orbit is a slightly nicer unit. I have the 2x96 on my 65g. But I would probably recommend going with the satellite 2x40. That will give you nearly 2 wpg, which will allow you to grow a wide range of plants. I got mine from Big Al's because they usually beat anybody else by quite a bit. I saved nearly $25. They are an awesome company to do business with as well.

[illiswiller]

I called Big Al's to order the light and the guy was quite rude.... He said I didn't want that light b/c it was for saltwater.....and there was no point to buying a model w/ a lunar light??

Is that true?

He was very condescending.... But he ended up saying I wanted the Coralife compact for freshwater tanks - Can you guys dispute his comments or help me decide which is the best light for my hex?? That was a bit uncomfortable!
THANKS!


I googled for another store besides Big Al's for these three options:


https://www82.safesecureweb.com/webaquatics/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WAI&Product_Code=CL53101&Category_Code=CACFF

https://www82.safesecureweb.com/webaquatics/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WAI&Product_Code=CL53014&Category_Code=CAFCFF

https://www82.safesecureweb.com/webaquatics/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WAI&Product_Code=CL53112&Category_Code=CAFCFF

[james1644]

The Satallite and Orbit by Current USA are factory set for saltwater, but that does not mean that you can not use them for freshwater. I bought the dual orbit 20" for my 15 tall planted aquarium which has (1) 6700K/10,000K daylight and (1) 420 nm atenic. I swapped the atenic bulb with another daylight bulb to give me a total of 80 watts over the tank. The moonlights are a personal preference in the freshwater hobby and I really enjoy it at night when it comes on. The moonlights really have no benefit to the aquarium other than owner enjoyment. I have never used Big Al's so I am not sure of their service, but I have heard good things about them from others.

With all of that said the choice is yours as to which system to go with. You could go with the Coralife freshwater system without the moon lights, or since you have the 45 gallon hex and it is a deep tank you can go with your original plan and buy either the Satellite or Orbit and change out the atenic bulb and have the moon lights for your own personal enjoyment. If you are not satisfied with the service from Big Al's there are sevral other retailers out there that will be glad to help you in return for a little money. Another retailer of the Current USA products that I have found is Dr. Foster and Smith. I currently have a similar delima with my new 65 gallon of whether to use the Coralife or to get another Orbit (that is sold locally here in Virginia) just for the pure enjoyment of the moon lights.

HTH

Jim

[illiswiller]

Thanks Jim and everyone for the advice -
I'm so excited I just orderd the Orbit 20" dual 40watt fixture from a local LFS (seems like many people here have/like Orbits). The LFS specialize in saltwater but said they could switch out the actnic bulb for a second daylight bulb for me at no extra cost! So the whole thing is only $125.00 !! I felt like that was a pretty good deal. ?? Plus I get the lunar light - I figure it can't be too bad for the fish since there is probably moonlight in the amazon basin. ;) And if my husband ever stops working 70 hrs a week he can maybe build me a little hood for it. :rolleyes:

For anyone in the Triangle area of NC and interested in saltwater - it seems like a great store! Aquatic Concepts www.ac-nc.com It's owned by two brothers. They gave me a small bag of aragonite for free last weekend when I didn't even buy anythig! (It's for my filter to bring up KH)...and they have really nice nanocube sets starting a 100.00!! Makes me want a saltwater tank! :thud:

Cheers and thanks again!

[james1644]

Just a note on the 20" Orbit. Everything that you read says it only has (1) moon light, but like others that have bought the same model it actually has two which provides a nice glow at night. I am sure that you will be pleased with your purchase.

Jim

[rcrist]

I have that same 42 gal hex tank and decided to get a 175w metal halide pendant to hang over the glass top. The light doesn't touch the class, so the heat is not transferred. The reflector is round, and lights the hex well. I ordered a 6.7k spectrum mh bulb, but they sent me a 10K. It looks nice and white, but I know it's high in the blue. Anyway, that gives you 4 watts/gal. Last I knew, MH is more efficient than most anything out there, so you get a little extra light per watt to make up for the depth of that tank.