Hello,
I am setting up a new freshwater tank, and want to add live plants. The tank is a 40 gallon tall with dimensions of 30x12x24. I am trying to determine what my best lighting options are. I think I have it narrowed down, and was hoping to get some opinions on which of these is best (or something else altogether)
ORBIT 30 Inch:
I like this light because it will cover the full top of the aquarium and provides 130 watts to the tank. I would replace the Actinet bulb with a 6700K daylight bulb. I am concerned that this might be hot and that it is 'older' technlogy.
http://www.current-usa.com/orbit.html
Nova Extreme:
I like this light because I think it will run cooler and I think the technology is advancing in this direction. I am concerned that it is only 24inchs (so wouldn't cover the tank end to end) and that it is lower wattage (96 watts). I would replace all the bulbs in this one with 6700 24 watt daylight bulbs (I am tempted by the 10000K 40 watt ones that are available now... but I am afraid they aren't right for the plants... I am hoping that 40 watt bulbs at 6700k get release as this really help and bring me up to 160 watts)
http://www.current-usa.com/novaextreme.html
In both of these I plan to have one bank come on for 1 hour (sunrise) then the second be added for 10 hours (day) and then 1 bank for a final hour (sunset) with the lunar lights at night.
I would really welcome any advice or experience that people have with these products or other suggestions.
Thank you.
I am setting up a new freshwater tank, and want to add live plants. The tank is a 40 gallon tall with dimensions of 30x12x24. I am trying to determine what my best lighting options are. I think I have it narrowed down, and was hoping to get some opinions on which of these is best (or something else altogether)
ORBIT 30 Inch:
I like this light because it will cover the full top of the aquarium and provides 130 watts to the tank. I would replace the Actinet bulb with a 6700K daylight bulb. I am concerned that this might be hot and that it is 'older' technlogy.
http://www.current-usa.com/orbit.html
Nova Extreme:
I like this light because I think it will run cooler and I think the technology is advancing in this direction. I am concerned that it is only 24inchs (so wouldn't cover the tank end to end) and that it is lower wattage (96 watts). I would replace all the bulbs in this one with 6700 24 watt daylight bulbs (I am tempted by the 10000K 40 watt ones that are available now... but I am afraid they aren't right for the plants... I am hoping that 40 watt bulbs at 6700k get release as this really help and bring me up to 160 watts)
http://www.current-usa.com/novaextreme.html
In both of these I plan to have one bank come on for 1 hour (sunrise) then the second be added for 10 hours (day) and then 1 bank for a final hour (sunset) with the lunar lights at night.
I would really welcome any advice or experience that people have with these products or other suggestions.
Thank you.
