Lighting...

icebear · 02-04-2004, 09:26 AM

Since i still havn't decided what i want to do for lighting, i'm looking for options.

I thought maybe i could get a double bulb (32"(or is it 34 or 36"?), 30 watt x2) strip like i have on my salt tank and overdrive the two bulbs with one balast similar to the ones Jimbo had told me to buy and rig them up the way he said in the drawing in this thread:
http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/sh...threadid=14020

That should give me an output of about 60 watts per bulb X 2 bulbs for maximum of 120 watts of light (4.0 WPG- which is only a basic guideline at best i understand).... the dimensions for a 30 gallon long is 36x12x16, and with a 4-5" substrate depth, so the plants would be 12-11 inches away from the light at the roots...

Would this be enough light for me to be able to grow just about anything i might want (assuming i can correctly provide all other necessary water conditions)?

If not, what would you suggest?
K ratings and all.....?

Stang69 · 02-04-2004, 09:36 AM

I lit my Planted with the basically the same lighting scheme as I did my reef.

On the Tanks that size you have pretty much the same option for lighting as you would with a reef. I like the VHO's on a smaller tank ( no offence ment ) I would actually run the atenics too.

The standard K rating also applies. 10K to get the crisp white and so on and so on. I know Casey is running MH on his and if you can thats the way to go. But once again watch for heat.

Lighting is like a Hot Rod

Ya can only go as fast as your wallet will let ya go

Hope I am being some help

Jeff

icebear · 02-04-2004, 08:03 PM

Ok, here i am... i decided to try something with the lights... si8nce i couldn't find a double bulb strip light for under $120.00 (yeah, way overbudget) and it didn't even come with the bulbs.... and couldn't find the same ballasts i used on my 46...etc

i threw my hands up, cried uncle and went to Home Depot for some of those compact flourescent bulbs.
I bought 4 of the "23 watt using, 100watt output, 1600 lumen" compact twist bulbs. I bought one clamp lamp (already had 3 at home) and a 6 outlet powerstrip. I took the clamps off the lamps and now have pendants. But i don't pend them, they are set on the glass versatop. The 4 bulbs are really bright looking to me, almost brighter than my salt tank... but i have no idea if it is really enough light. I don't know wether i should go by lumens or watts.

I think i may get more bulbs, buy some more of the cheap sockets and mount them in a canopy i may build......

I actually like the color. It is definately a yellowy color- something i'd never put on my salt tank, but it sure does make the plants look green and the water has a golden sparkle to it- but dosen't look stained or tea-like....at least to me.

So, did i do bad? The bulbs were only $5 each after instant coupon and are supposed to last 10,000 hours....

i can use them around the house if not, but i needed something...i just had to buy some plants.

I posted a question about lumens and watts on the main board but didn't mention excatly why since i was asking it because of a freshie tank, and didn't want to kinda interrupt the board topic....

I just have a hard time understanding some of this stuff.

Doug1 · 02-04-2004, 09:41 PM

You might check Home Depot for the Lights of America yard lights # 9226 or similar they are a 65 watt 6500K PM in a self ballasted housing

Stang69 · 02-04-2004, 09:54 PM

good idea doug

Jeff

icebear · 02-04-2004, 10:04 PM

i will look into that. i simply couldn't seem to find any alternatives for lighting that wasn't way too much and since i can't find anymore of those ballasts, and the only econo fixtures i could seem to find were larger than 36"

icebear · 02-04-2004, 10:16 PM

uggh... i swear HD's search engine is so completely useless

i searched the number you gave, i searched "65 watt", "yard light", i went through the catalog at all 7 LOA products....

this is all they list:

Lights Of America
27 watt White Wall/Ceiling Fixture
Internet/Catalog #: 313573
$38.94

Lights Of America
27 Watt Bronze Wall/Ceiling Fixture
Internet/Catalog #: 313574
Store SKU #: 339908
$38.94

Lights Of America
12 In. 54 Watt Fluorescent Ceiling Fixture
Model: CR20-C
Internet/Catalog #: 324492
$37.19

Lights Of America
14 In. 32 Watt Fluorescent Drum Fixture
Model: E8035-30
Internet/Catalog #: 324498
$34.89

Lights Of America
10-1/4 In. 30 Watt Mighty Light Fluorescent Drum Fixture
Internet/Catalog #: 313551
$27.89

Lights Of America
9 watt White Wall/Ceiling Fixture
Internet/Catalog #: 313583
$19.97

Lights Of America
20 Watt 2 Ft. 1-Light White T-10 Fluorescent Vanity Fixture
Model: 7020
Internet/Catalog #: 313569
Store SKU #: 787596
10.97

that is IT..... thats all they have...i don't get it...i can never find anything on that website... i can't stand it.

am i flipping insane or something?

getting frustrated with HD

icebear · 02-04-2004, 10:35 PM

is it this one?

http://www.lightsofamerica.com/floods.htm

#9266

specs page:
http://www.lightsofamerica.com/specs-fl.htm

should i grab one or two....?

not sure if i'll need to buy online because no LOA products on HD's website were for 65 watts...and that makes me wonder about the availability of the replacement bulbs....

icebear · 02-04-2004, 10:52 PM

ok, ok...i'll go ahead and grab two...you guys just tell me where i can get replacement bulbs when you get the chance

(I'm over my HD tirade...gotta love those PMS moodswings

)

oh....now, will my plants be ok in the above described light if it takes a while for me to get those LOAs? i will get them as soon as i can, but it may be a week or so....

oh, and as usual, thanks for all the help and patience...i know i can be a PITA when i start getting frantic

Stang69 · 02-04-2004, 11:10 PM

Two will be great for your tank. Ya can buy the replacment lights at HD from off the shelf I think they are called florex bulbs if I am not mistaken. On one of the models I cant remember what one it has what looks like a eyeball. You will need to put a piece of electrical tape over it as it is a light sensor.

Jeff

icebear · 02-04-2004, 11:25 PM

This is what it looks like with the bulbs i got.... not great, but better than before....

i'll get the ph on its way down tomorrow and the co2 setup going....

yes, i need to clean the filter screen and the camera caught some glare off the decorations , i didn't change the light exposure thing cause i wanted the difference in brightness to be more obvious....my camera loves to pick up green colors...

Stang69 · 02-04-2004, 11:30 PM

HOw much heat do they give off?

Maybe you can use a big cup hook above them and hang them till you get the LOA lights.

Whan i had mine on a planted tank I had them on 1 inch pieces of pvc with a fan blowing under them to keep the heat out.

Jeff

icebear · 02-04-2004, 11:38 PM

they don't seem to get very hot at all. i purposely bought the ones that were made for enclosed lighting fixtures (in case i decided to enclose more than a few of them in a low profile canopy)...and they are on top of a glass versatop- so they are not exposed to water.

ScoobityDoobity · 02-05-2004, 08:16 AM

You can use the MH from HD or Lowes. I do believe this is what they have over the planted tank at Aquarium showcase in ATL.

icebear · 02-05-2004, 09:23 AM

i was looking at the MH while i was at HD.... i might consider using them in some sort of combo light setup...maybe- its the heat that i'm concerned with- but i really have a hard time sorting out all the info about lighting- i don't know why i have such a hard time with it.

Now for more Q's on the 65watt LOAs... if i were to build a box to put them in it and had some room leftover, would it be an ok idea to use some of the twist lights in it too? (i could just cut holes in the top and fit the sockets in and then glue)

also, how much heat comes out of the LOAs? Will i be able to keep them cool by just drilling some vents in the back or will i need a fan?