Last Major Question (i Hope) Lighting

[Behold]

I need lighting for my hood as i don't have it.

my hood is built for a tube but im sure that can be modified. what should i go for?

single tube?
twin
Or move away from tubes??

Finally what is a good controller for my tube/ Lights that wont break the bank.

 

[Rooster]

Depends on what you plan for your tank... plants, marine, coral etc etc.....

Bear in mind that the LFS will charge a LOT more for fittings than an electrical shop... a few months back I set up a breeding tank with an overhead light.
LFS = £60+ for the fitting, plus lamp.... electrical shop was £8 including a lamp !!!! Admitadly it was only a "white" lamp, which was swapped for a more suitable one, but now I have an "emergency" lamp !

My main aquarium runs on an electronic unit - £20 .... again this would have been 3 time the price at LFS.

But it really is a "piece of string" question you asked.... tell us what size, and what you plan for your tank.

 

[Behold]

100cm long and 30cm width

Im gonna have
Plants (real)
Amazon Sword
corkscrew val
and jave fern
Freshwater Tropical fish
still deciding on the fish but
tiger or zebra plecs are a defo
I know that LFS tray and charge alot. Infact i have two near me a Maidenhead aquatics and a Pets at home and the only light controler my size in PAH is 10 quid ( Not bad i thought (NO BULB) ) and the same uning in MA is 30.......

But should i go tube?

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

Some plants need high amounts of light, while others prefer low light (like java moss).

The easy general guide is using WPG (this applies to fluorescent lights, not incandescent). So if you have 30 watts of light for a 30 gallon tank...1 WPG, 60 watts for the 30...2 WPG, etc. Most light loving plants need 2-3 WPG. Unless you have a really small tank you pretty much have to go with compact fluorescent bulbs to get a decent WPG ratio.

If you don't want to grow anything fancy...go with low light. (You can always upgrade later). Most fish don't really appreciate having a ton of light beaming down on them anyway.

 

[Behold]

Some plants need high amounts of light, while others prefer low light (like java moss).

The easy general guide is using WPG (this applies to fluorescent lights, not incandescent). So if you have 30 watts of light for a 30 gallon tank...1 WPG, 60 watts for the 30...2 WPG, etc. Most light loving plants need 2-3 WPG. Unless you have a really small tank you pretty much have to go with compact fluorescent bulbs to get a decent WPG ratio.

If you don't want to grow anything fancy...go with low light. (You can always upgrade later). Most fish don't really appreciate having a ton of light beaming down on them anyway.

Ill get the single controller then least if i get another controller i can control 2 bulbs 1 by 1