Light options for 38g

T

tuvok

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Dec 16, 2004
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My 38g 36"Lx12"Wx20"H is currently hosting some Java Fern, Anubias amd Java Moss with a single 24" 20w NO fluorescent bulb for light. The plants are surviving but could probably do better. I have been looking at a few options for increasing the light (but staying within the low-light threshold) but would like to get some experienced input if I can. Here are the options:

1. 30" 65w Coralife CF fixture.
Pros: Competitive in terms of price, bulbs are easy to find and relatively cheap.
Cons: Fixture is 30" but tank is 36" (could it rest in the middle of a galss top?), lamp almost same size as 20w NO so I would have to accept poor light distribution (although I have not really noticed this affecting anything).

2. 36" 96w Coralife CF fixture
Pros: Same length as tank.
Cons: Too much light (takes the tank beyond low light threshold), bulbs more expensive.

3. Perfecto 36" 2 x 30w NO florescent strip
Pros: Bulbs are inexpensive.
Cons: Bulbs require more frequent replacement, less efficient power consumption, more restrike.

4. AH Supply
Pros: Better lighting efficiency
Cons: DIY is *not* an option.

Can anyone add to or critique the pros and cons listed here?
 
Check my response with the plants I grow in a 55, which is approx. the same depth as your tank here: http://aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79685
All of those plants should do equally well under your options #2 or #4.
I would strongly recommend the AH Supply 96w bright kit because the reflectors are so much superior to practically anybody else's. But if that option is '*not*' an option I guess #2 is your only viable choice, IMO.

Len
 
My only misgiving about the 96w fixture is that it takes the tank beyond 2 watts per gallon. 2.5WPG looks like where it becomes necessary to start injecting CO2 and adding fertilizer. Is this a correct assessment?
 
The 30" Coralife has a bulb that's only about 22" long. Over a 30" tank you can get away with it. Over a 36" tank you'd have a lot of dropoff on the sides. I suppose since DIY isn't an option, you can't go with the best option (#4) so #2 would be the next best thing.
 
I have a 30" 37g tank, and am dissapointed in the coverage of the coralife deluxe. It doesn't get away with it. i wouldn't consider this for my next tank.

I really do like the Coralife T5 lights though.. they're cheap... I believe that the 36" can be bought for $45. They have 2 lights at 21w each, that's 42w... You could purchase TWO for $90 and give you well over 2w per gallon! Since it's two lights, you can place one over the front and one over the back of your glass top so that you light your tank better. I have problems with the 37 with equal lighting.

I've done this setup on my 60g and it works great. My 37 grows plants well enough, but they all want to grow to the center where the 24" area of light is coming down.

What's great about this option is that you can buy one light now, and one later. I'm going to do this with my 50g... One light now... one later this year.
 
I just got an AH kit for my 55. I mounted it inside my old light housing and it is Awesome (110w in a 55gal).

It is a very easy project- I used a drill, a screwdriver and a wire stripper. Try and get someone to help you if you don't think you could do it yourself.

I think the reflector on the AH Supply lights is far superior to anything else out there, so more watts get to your plants.

I looked at all the options out there, and the AH kit is the most bang for the buck. I am SO glad I didn't get the coralife.

Stephen
 
The T-5 fixture seems like it would address a lot of issues such as coverage and low wattage. From what I am reading it looks like the useful lifespan ofm the bulb is decent too. Now I just have to find somewhere in my area that sells T-5 bulbs and fixtures.
 
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