Lighting Help Needed

[Zirallan]

I've got a new 10 US gallon tank. So far I have 1 betta fish (or siamese figher, however you prefer to call them). Due to the ambient temp in the room, I don't have the heater plugged in. It's there, just not plugged in and running because the temp of the tank fluctuates between 80-82F (26-27C) even without the heater. My problem comes in when I want to have the light on the fish tank. It's rather nice to have it lit up in the evenings when I'm just sitting here but after a couple hours the temp will shoot up to 86F (30C). From my understanding, that's the absolute top range that my little fish should be in.. I left the light on one day before I had the fish for roughly 8 hours and the temp shot up too high for my thermometer to read it (and it goes up to about 120F (48C)).

I'd eventually like to have live plants in there.. But don't see many options for that without being able to light up the tank, not to mention my ability to enjoy it is greatly hindered due to this room having no natural light and very poor artificial lighting to begin with. The light strip is meant for up to 25 watt, tubular, incandecant bulbs. No clue what wattage is in it now as it was part of a kit and I don't have the box anymore. Is there anything I can do to make my lights not cook my fish? Would it be possible to use compact florescent lights? Or would those be just as hot?

I live in Arizona so this is likely to be a problem for 6 months or so out of the year. I'd love to get it solved.

 

[KISSfn]

Welcome to the forum! If it were me I would lower the ambient temperature of the room as this affects the water temp. Fluorescent lights are very much cooler than incandescents and I would recommend them. I've read that 86F is their limit and " Bettas prefer a well planted, dimly lit tank with hiding places and floating plants for cover. Water movement should be kept to a minimum. Bettas are not particularly strong swimmers and the ornate finnage of line-bred fish makes those varieties even less so." There are plants that do well in low light conditions but being far from an expert I recommend you take a look at the Plants and Planted Tanks section of the forum.

 

[Zirallan]

The ambient temp in the room is 86F (30C) right now and it's almost 2am with the AC running.. It's not going to get any cooler in here until mid-October or November. It's just not possible.. And this is a very mild summer for here too.

I'll see if I can pick up some florescents in the morning. Will a lower watt bulb produce less heat than a higher watt one? I'm going to go for low light plants anyway, my main concern is to be able to see my fish without roasting him.

 

[KISSfn]

To me, you have an amazing tolerance to heat as I head for the thermostat as soon as it get's above 76! I'm in Texas so we get some heat too but not as hot as Arizona. The beauty of fluorescents is they produce a lot of light, for less watts and are at least around 75% cooler than their incandescent counterparts. I've replaced nearly all my house lighting with compact fluorescents. Lowe's has a good variety of bulbs.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

THe worst three weeks of my life - weather wise was a three week stint in late June - early July in Tempe, Az! WOW! I can see why Arizona folks have such low tolerance for cold when they come east... your bodies have adjusted to the 110+ temps of summer in AZ, and can't make the transition to the 10-20degrees here in the NE corridor!


I feel for ya.

A couple of things that you could do, and it might sound a bit odd is to blow a fan over the top of the tank. Moving air over the top will help with evaporation and that will help to keep the tank cooler. Of course, you are going to have to top up the tank more often.



Also, yes, the lower the wattage, the less heat it will produce. The wattage of a bulb is a measure of the amount of energy per second it is using. Incandescents put a lot of that energy into heat - the lightbulb works by overheating a tungsten filament by running huge amounts of current through it until it glows. This is 19th century technology. It was the toast of its day, but that was almost 150 years ago. Get yourself a compact fluorescent bulb to go into that same light fixture, and you'll be amazed at the difference in temp produced. Unlike an incandescent, you can touch a CFL while it is lit without burning yourself. The cost to purchase is a little higher, but they last longer and cost less to operate.


Best wishes dealing with the coming temps!

 

[Zirallan]

I just got back from 4 years in Switzerland. I take the cold just as well as the heat.. But I really do love the heat. Though the temp is already beginning to rise and it's only 4am. My original intent was to get African Dwarf Frogs but I can't simply because the water temp doesn't get low enough for them to be comfortable. The Bettas high temp tolerance is actually why I chose them. He looks aweful small in that tank all by himself. Hopefully once I get this sorted, I can get some live plants in there and maybe a snail or some shrimp if I can find something I like that can tolerate the heat.

Thanks to both of you. Now I actually have a plan instead of just sitting here scratching my head over it!

 

[KISSfn]

I bet he's a lot happier than the Bettas at the stores in those tiny cups! That should be illegal.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I saw some at a local Petco like that, and decided on the spot that I would never buy ANYTHING from them...EVER. There is barely enough room for those poor fish to even move, let alone swim. There is no filtration, no aeration, no nothing. I can't imagine that they live very long like that.

 

[KISSfn]

Even in a city as big as Dallas, Petco and Petsmart have virtually destroyed the competition. I drive about 30 miles and pass probably 30 Petxxx's to avoid them.

 

[Zirallan]

What's worse is the stores who say that they're fine living their entire lives in those little cups. I don't like that they're kept that way but I can't buy things online right now (no credit card or bank account since I've only been back in the US a few months) and it was either little fish in a tiny cup or no fish at all. Mr. Lunch wasn't flaring at anyone but his colour was vibrant and he was moving around in his little cup so I chose him. He just happens to also be a pretty fish.

Someone accidentally uncycled his tank (rinsed the filter with tap water..) he's showing signs of stress this morning. Did another water change and I'm hoping he'll be okay. That'll be the last time I let anyone help me with the tank..

 

[KISSfn]

I wasn't bashing you, I'm glad you rescued him! All those stores lie! Did you test your water after the "help"?

 

[Zirallan]

It's been 3 days since the 'help' and it's acting like it was when I cycled it before I brought home the fish. I took a read through the guides for fish-in cycling.. I'm just trying to stay on top of it now. Hopefully it doesn't take as long this time cause there should be some bacteria on the gravel and whatnot shouldn't there? I've just got the one small Betta fish though.. One wouldn't think he'd produce much ammonia..

I didn't think you were bashing me. I just don't like that they're sold that way either. I think it's cruel.

 

[KISSfn]

Unfortunately virtually all the good bacteria live in the filter media that your "help" probably killed. A Betta may not produce a lot of ammonia but all that he does now has nowhere to go. Please follow the fish in cycle guide for the sake of Mr. Lunch.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

In addition to that, I would go out and get the plants that you were planning on adding for the betta NOW. Plants help to reduce ammonia. They can use the ammonia in that form, they don't need to wait for it to be converted. Certainly whatever you add won't be able to handle the full load... BUT it would increase your wiggle room for water changes a bit.

 

[KISSfn]

Or you could buy an Active Sponge Filter from http/www.angelsplus.com/FiltersSponge.htm and your tank will be cycled within a couple of days max.