Lighting Help

[barker_23]

Hi, Hope someone can help?

I have recently finished my cycling of my Rio 180, At the moment i have the standard 2 x T8 lighting with the Juwel flaps and a few plants but i dont seem to be seeing much growth.

If someone could help me choose which one would help me, I have the following options:

1. I have an Arcadia Overtank Luminaire with 4 Marine tubes, 2x white 2 x Blue

2. Get some freshwater tubes for the overtank luminaire

3. I have seen some T6 Tubes that would fit in the fixture i already have.

Im not sure what to go for as im not really keen on going into the CO2 way.

Hope someone can help me.

Thanks

 

[rabbut]

Option 1 looks good if you have the £ for it Arcadia are the Rolls Royce of lighting units. Well respected and don't break as often as many competitors, but you pay through the nose for the extra quality I have used EQJ-trading on ebay before, and their units are solid as a rock and well packaged. One of my collegues at work has recently had an issue with a bust unit from them, more to the point an issue with returning it (left with a hefty bill for the privalage) I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them again, but it's something you obviously need to be aware of

The only catch with the Arcadia unit is that the Blue tubes will need replacing (They are atinic and will caurse algea growth in most freshwater set-ups) and the marine whites will be quite harsh. This can be rectifyed with some orange-red tubes, making things a bit easier on the eye

If you opt for T6 lamps, check to ensure they are the same wattage as the T8's they are replacing

All the best
Rabbut

 

[barker_23]

Thanks mate, I already have the Aracdia unit as i was going to keep marine, thats why it was an option, (got it for a decent 100 quid from e-bay)

So if i was to use that i would ideally need to change the tubes?

 

[rabbut]

Two at least Not nessisarily all. Try it with just the Blues replaced, see how you like the effects, and if it is still too harsh for your liking, replace the other two

HTH
Rabbut

 

[barker_23]

Thanks for your help Rabbut, will i have to start worrying about CO2 though if my lights are strong?

Also does anyone have opinons on lidless tank? If i use my Luminaire obviously i wont have any lid is it best to put some sort of netting over the tank?

Thanks

 

[rabbut]

Lidless depends on the fish you are keeping If anything is jumpy, you will want some perspex covers over the top, from the edge of the tank to the light unit and down again, otherwise, leave it be

Usualy you would start CO2 injection at arround 2-3WPG of light. To work out if you would need it under this light, I need to know realy what type of tube the Arcadia unit takes and the wattage I believe it will likely be T5's yes? I can't remember the wattage of a 3ft T5 tube off the top of my head I'm not a planted tank nerd though, so for a more deffinate answer the the CO2 question, you may want to post in the planted tank section

All the best
Rabbut

 

[Dave Spencer]

Im not sure what to go for as im not really keen on going into the CO2 way.

Hope someone can help me.

Thanks

With 4 x T8 over 180l I doubt whether there is any getting away from the need for CO2. If you run just two tubes you should be OK, and you could then maybe try using Flourish Excel to supply organic carbon.

Look at lampspecs for cheap tubes.

Personally, I would call Arcadia the Ford Focus of aquarium lighting. There is much better quality lighting out there, but it comes at a hefty price.

Dave.