Lights!

millie1 · Nov 10, 2011

I desparately need lights to fit my 30 inch long tank!

Ive tried ebay etc... The lid as the holes ready for them, but I will need the unit? as well as the lights themselves

Any help/pointers?

Cheap as poss as im skinto

Thanks

fluttermoth · Nov 10, 2011

Yes, you do need the starter unit as well as the tubes.

mike455555 · Nov 10, 2011

is it for a planted tank?
i just bought a light unit today...for my 3f tank cost £40 total (with bulb.) just needs fixing in
lights are expensive,new... got one for £60 for my 2f tank
try second hand.

do you have plants in your tank? or is the light just to see the fish?

millie1 · Nov 10, 2011

just to see the fish!

But would like to add more plants as obvs they die at the moment without lights lol

Thanks for the replies

millie1 · Nov 10, 2011

will this work?? http

/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120807449016&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

with the specified wattage???

would the above fit *any* tank???

lights baffle me

thank you

mike455555 · Nov 10, 2011

same make as my one iv just got... there great lights (its the second one i got...) what size bulb are you getting ... look at that first then the wattage of the bulb needs to match the unit.

you might need the smaller size.
iv got a 25-30W unit and a 750mm bulb. but check it out a little more

edit. remember the measurements for the endcaps.

fluttermoth · Nov 10, 2011

Ok...

Lights can be confusing! What you need to do is pick the tube that's the right length for the tank. The tube will have a wattage rating; make a note of that and then you need to find a starter/control unit that will run that wattage of light.

millie1 · Nov 10, 2011

ok - ^^^ im still confused

what about these tubes? http

/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/T5-4W-6W-8W-13W-6-9-12-21-WHITE-FLUORESCENT-TUBE-/270730572842?pt=UK_Light_Bulbs&var=&hash=item84b7aefd1e

mike455555 · Nov 10, 2011

there T5 tubes ...

you have t5 tubes and t8 tubes ones bigger than the other the unit your looking at takes T8
the bulb your looking at is T5 it wont fit

T5's are better as they give out more light per W but can be more expensive.(i think)
T8's give out less light per W.

there is not a concern if you just want to see your fish. plants will grown under both T5 and T8. but you'll need more WPG with T8 for growing plants (in a high tech tank)

step 1. measure your tank
step 2. look at bulb's and find one which will fit in you tank (remember to go slightly under so you can fit the end caps of the starter unit, i forgot todo this... had to take the bulb back....)
step 3. find the wattage of the bulb
step 4. find a starter unit to power that wattage bulb

T5 and T8 wont make much difference besides the fact it wont fit your starter unit if you miss match it
step 5. buy it

millie1 · Nov 10, 2011

thanks mike!!!

mike455555 · Nov 10, 2011

no probs any more questions i'll try to answer >.> =]

nurglespuss · Nov 10, 2011

Another option (depending on your hood design) is to use an arcadia arcpod?

I've got one on my 106L (30") aquarium, it lights up the tank very decently, and lets one half benefit from a little more shade (but still visible) which is nice for the fish!