Need Lighting Help

[tank3544]

OK I admit it. I'm completely confused. I can't figure out what size I need to buy to fit my tank.

My hood measures 23"L X 11.5"W
My Light enclosure measures 22.25"L X 4.5"W X 2.5"H

I'm looking at the Orbit Compact Lighting by Current. They have a 20" model and a 24" model. My tank is 24"L so does that mean that one won't fit? If that's the case then the 20" model is too short. Which means neither would suit me and I guess I'd have to look around more.

The plants I have would be fine with either. The 20" model has 1-40 Watt bulb while the 24" model has 1-65 Watt bulb. They both have the extra "moon" lamp which I think would be pretty neat.

I'm not sure on the rules about posting links to product pages. If its allowed I have them bookmarked if someone wants to see the product to help me.

Please unconfuse me!

[sardesign]

Orbit sits on top of your tank. You will need a glass top and NO hood. 24" is the length of the Orbit fixture and it will sit on legs on the edges of your tank.

[tank3544]

ok then that's certainly not gonna fly

anyone have a suggestion for those specs around the same $100 price?

also by no hood you just mean a piece of glass sits on top? i don't think i'd like that .. i like the little flip top to feed the fish and keep the noise down from the filter and aerator when its closed

[tank3544]

ok correct me if i'm wrong here but after looking around it seems you can get the glass canopy for like ten bucks. With the front door and space in the back for the filter and heater. If that's all it takes I think that's the way I'm gonna go.

Am I looking at the right thing?

[SuperiorMN]

This sounds like a 20 gallon tank (24"x12")?

Check if the hood is a single flourescent tube, or dual incandescent fixture. Incands are a lot cheaper, and rightfully so, as they produce a substantial amount of heat compared to actual light output. Single tube flours at 24" will be about 20W, I think, so 1 wpg, note that the normal hoods are NOT power compacts (PC).

You can post links to products here, since it applies to the topic.

If you're not satisfied with the amount of light, consider AHSupply, http://ahsupply.com/index.html. For a 20gal, 1x55W would give you 2.25wpg, which is pretty good for $41.99. It is all DIY, though, so you would need a hood to start with, or you would have to make a custom enclosure.

Hope this helps,
Marty

[tank3544]

yeah its a 20 gallon tank 24 x 12

i was originally going to buy a kit from ah supply but i'm really not into messing up the retrofit .. seems this way for a couple more bucks i have more power, more features, and i don't have the chance to mess it up

i think i'm gonna get a glass canopy HERE (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=3781&Ntt=glass&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004&Nty=1)

and go ahead and get a different brand that has the same features as the orbit above for a little over half the price and get the legs to lift the lights seen HERE (http://www.futurepets.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=CU01000)

that one would be the 1 65 watt bulb

seem like a good idea?

edited to add: the bulb is 10,000K .. will that be a problem? most plant sites say you should have 5000-7000k

[sardesign]

There is no scientific evidence that Kelvin (i.e. 10000K, 6500K, etc.) affects plants. It's mostly visual. I use a balance of colors to produce a more "natural" color. For a twenty gallon tank you should have two 55 (or 65) watt bulbs. Disregard the WPG rule with small tanks. There is a great explanation on rexrigg.com about this. The glass canopy + light fixture was what I was talking about. AH Supply retrokits are great for hoods because they are EASY to put together and do a great job for a great price. The orbit is expensive but it comes with 2 bulbs instead of 1 like most other light fixtures.

[tank3544]

OK but won't all that extra lighting cause algae to grow?

The dual bulb would give me 6.5 per gallon when all I really need is 2 or 3.

I guess that goes back to the first question I asked in this forum. Is there such a thing as TOO much light?

[indiginess]

There is no scientific evidence that Kelvin (i.e. 10000K, 6500K, etc.) affects plants.

yeah, there is. plants only absorb certain wavelenghts of light, and these numbers roughly approximate the wavelengths that are most efficent at producing maximum photosynthenic effect.

It's mostly visual. I use a balance of colors to produce a more "natural" color. For a twenty gallon tank you should have two 55 (or 65) watt bulbs. Disregard the WPG rule with small tanks.

i agree. most flourescent lighting is adaquate as long as the wattage is appropriate. Lumens per square (inch, cm, whatever) is a more accurate measure, but requires some sort of light meter to get an accurate reading. i bet if you scrounge around, though, there's a chart available for approximations.


The orbit is expensive but it comes with 2 bulbs instead of 1 like most other light fixtures.

having a two-bulb fixture is nice. you don't have to use both if you don't want to, but having the option is good. fixtures are equipment you rarely, if ever, replace. since you are willing to spend the money now, i'd go with a two bulb setup

if you are planning to ditch a bulb in a multiple set-up, i might recommend covering the unused pin receptors with electrical tape to ensure deposits and/or dirt don't gunk it up.

good luck

:cool: