Thinking of upgrading my lighting system......need help?

M

Mooch28

AC Members
Dec 24, 2004
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Toronto (Brampton)
Hey guys,

First off please bare with me as im failry new to the whole lighting thing.......
Currently i have a triple bulb (NO-normal output) Fluorescent lighting hood which has a shiny silver reflector in it. It only puts out 106 watts max, where i have 2 32 watt full spectrum bulbs, and one 40 watt special plant bulb, which isnt enough for good plant growth in my 72 gallon tank. Anyways, i was looking online yesterday and found a VHO ballast for 79 bucks that can run 2 VHO (110 watt per bulb) or 220 watts total. So my question is, would it be possible to replace the NO ballast in my lighting strip with a VHO ballast? If so, would i have to change the sockets in my lighting strip, because it supports only T-8 bulbs, but ive read that VHO are T-5 bulbs? Basically what im asking is, will T-5 bulbs fit in a T-8 fixture as long as you have a VHO ballast? Also if theres any thing i else to know, such as possible heat factors, etc.......please let me know.

I appreciate the help guys and girls.........
 
Blinky said:
Just my opinion, but I'd go for PC lighting. www.ahsupply.com has retrofit kits that will fit into an existing fixture, and they're reasonably priced.
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Thanks Blinky..

I may go with the 2X96 watt kit and build my own box to hide the wiring, etc. I live in Canada, but with shipping and all this is still dirt cheap compared to what LFS sell these compact kits for. Im, wondering though, would 192 watts be enough for a 72 gallon tank, it would give me roughly 2.66 watts per gallon, as opposed to the 1.44 watts per gallon i currently have. would 2.7 watts per gallon allow me to grow those difficult bottom grassy plants or high light plants in general. You should also taking into consideration that my tank is atleasts 20 inches high......

Also, with all the wood, fish, rocks and gravel im probably closer to around 60-65 gallons total in my tank, which would mean i would get 3.2 watts per gallon with 60 gallons, and 2.95 watts per gallon with 65 gallons.

Thanks again.
 
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Wow that's a big investment, the most I have spent on lighting so far is 80 and that is alot to me right now.
 
Mooch28 said:
Thanks Blinky..

I may go with the 2X96 watt kit and build my own box to hide the wiring, etc. I live in Canada, but with shipping and all this is still dirt cheap compared to what LFS sell these compact kits for. Im, wondering though, would 192 watts be enough for a 72 gallon tank, it would give me roughly 2.66 watts per gallon, as opposed to the 1.44 watts per gallon i currently have. would 2.7 watts per gallon allow me to grow those difficult bottom grassy plants or high light plants in general. You should also taking into consideration that my tank is atleasts 20 inches high......

Also, with all the wood, fish, rocks and gravel im probably closer to around 60-65 gallons total in my tank, which would mean i would get 3.2 watts per gallon with 60 gallons, and 2.95 watts per gallon with 65 gallons.

Thanks again.
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I'm not one of the regular repliers but I'll take a stab at this one. With that amount of light you'll be doing great. I've currently got 2.2WPG at the moment and I'm growing Glosso (horizontal growth) and Hairgrass just fine.

I'm assuming you know about the C02 & nutrients issue that comes along with that amount of light... ;) Good luck!
 
Cruise Control said:
I'm not one of the regular repliers but I'll take a stab at this one. With that amount of light you'll be doing great. I've currently got 2.2WPG at the moment and I'm growing Glosso (horizontal growth) and Hairgrass just fine.

I'm assuming you know about the C02 & nutrients issue that comes along with that amount of light... ;) Good luck!
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Yes i do know about, C02, nutrients, etc.....wont do it though till lighting is increased.

But ive actually decided to go with the 4x55 watt now, as it will only cost me 180 with taxes and shipping to canada and will give me 220 watts for my 72 gallon, around 3.2 watts per gallon to 3.4 watts per gallon.........Yeah! :D
 
Sorry one more question guys...........

The say that Compact fluorescents are even more efficient than regular or NO fluorescents. Now i know for a fact that fluorescents should be replaced everey 6 months, but what about Compact fluorescents? Ive read somewhere that they can be replaced every 12-16 months because they are more efficient, is this true?
 
Hi I'm Canadian eh? too. I bought a nice compact fluorescent 4 x 55 watt tubes by jebo, on ebay from a US seller. Its really slim and attractive on top of my glass top. I use it with the 40 watt fluroscent kit the tank came with.

Total 260 watts on top of my 66g With US exchange and shipping, it cost me 180.00 Canadian. This is a good deal. These power compact kits are selling for mimimum 300.00 Canadian, through Mops aquarium supplies, or J&L Aquatics online.
 
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