Lighting for

[chris allsop]

Ive got a 4 foot discus set up that at the mo contains plastic plants. i would like to plant a nice natural look. can i do this with a single 40 watt T8?
Plus i dont want co2 but ive read on this forum that you can make your own, can any one give me full instructions and if pos a picture?
If i do use co2 how will it effect my discus/ water?.

I want to make the front part of the tank look like grass, does any one know what this species is called?

thanks, chris

 

[simonbrown403]

try these sites chris loads of info.

diy co2 all the info ull ever need
http/www.qsl.net/w2wdx/aquaria/diyco2.html

good site for plant info + links
http/www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_f...lizer_intro.htm

also try

www.tropica.com

 

[Spilk]

I wouldn't think it would be, rule of thumb minimum 2watts per gallon and all that, and I have a 30" long 20gal with a 55watt 6700k bulb and co2 injector . . . and I still have problems growing plants that need "bright" lights.

 

[chris allsop]

Would i be better getting another 40 watt T8 or should i get a T5, i know t5 are better for marine, as i have a reef tank.

this is the first time ive kept plants, ive kept fish for years.

Another 40 watt t8 would give me 2 wpg is that enough top keep all plants?

Or do i need even more?

 

[chris allsop]

i bought a double 40 watt t8, which gives me 120 watts in total, thats 3 wpg,
is that enough.

Also i dont know how to fit the new lights as my hood is wood and lifts all the way up. can i still fit to it?

 

[abstract]

3 wpg is great...in general 2 wpg is considered average/low average....as for fitting the fixtures to your hood check out the do it yourself forum and see how others have done it....maybe you can use some ideas from there....good luck and post some pictures when you get it going!

 

[houndour]

Chris,

I have the Interpet T5 lighting unit and a wooden hood. I've also got the dilemma of fixing it to the hood as the clips they came with are for a metal hood. I'm going to ask my LFS at the weekend if they have clips with holes so I can screw them to the hood.

Sam

 

[BigC]

Instead of trying to find clips to hold the tube can this method in my post in the diy section not be adapted to service your needs by drilling through the reflector and then finishing off through the wooden hood. The reflectors come in different sizes and they already have clips. I know it's not the same & I dunno if they will fit the type of lighting you have but it's worth looking into.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=83620
Just a thought.

 

[houndour]

http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/listsecti...etp=42&rets=129

The above is the type of lighting i have, so as you can see it needs clips for that shape. Not the standard round ones.

My boyfriend has popped into our lfs for me today and he said they dont do any other clips. the lfs reckon we'll be able to get some kind of screw through the slit in the clips but I'm not sure.

Nightmare. I always seem to buy the wrong things.

 

[Lateral Line]

>>> Another 40 watt t8 would give me 2 wpg is that enough top keep all plants?

In a tank your size, that will be "Medium" light. The easiest to grow grassy plant that normally stays low and thus is recommended for tank foregrounds is Sagittaria subulata - takes a wide variety of water and lighting conditions. You would not need to inject CO2 to keep this going at 2wpg.

 

[BigC]

Don't dispair you'll get there in the end....Can the clips that came with the lighting be drilled in some way.

 

[chris allsop]

ive sorted it last night, ive screwed metal screws in to the black clips, then into the hood, two of them come out the other end but carnt really see it until ur hands hit em.

 

[chris allsop]

lateral line
i have 3 wpg, a double 40 watt that i got yesterday and the single 40 i had b4.
i got the nutra fin co2 kit today.

 

[BigC]

Glad you sorted it out, finish it off by glueing the little screw cups and caps over the top of the screw ends to stop you catching you finger..

 

[abstract]

lateral line
i have 3 wpg, a double 40 watt that i got yesterday and the single 40 i had b4.
i got the nutra fin co2 kit today.

great, let us know how it works out for you and hope to see some pics!