Hi, I'm looking to replace my lighting in my 29g, which has only 20w of light currently. I'm going to go high-tech, with CO2 and everything, the problem is, I can't find a lighting fixture that will give me the right amount of light. I've looked through Drs Foster and Smith, and I've looked through aquariumguys.com and can't find anything really suitable. I want about 3wpg, so about 90 watts, but all I could find was either too much or too little. Can somebody help me find something?
Looking For Lighting -- 29g (36")
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SuperColey1
Planted Section
I don't know if you can get these items in US, but in my 29G which had 2 x 18W, I got a 1 x 55W power compact Interpet starter (You can get a twin tube version to give 110W) these tubes are 22" long.
I only got the single because I also bought an electronic ballast to run one of mu existing 18W alongside, and didn't want to get too much light so early on as 110W, instead I have 73 (when I eventually get it rigged up)
I only got the single because I also bought an electronic ballast to run one of mu existing 18W alongside, and didn't want to get too much light so early on as 110W, instead I have 73 (when I eventually get it rigged up)
I knew I'd get confused when I started this topic.
SuperColey1
Planted Section
The ballast won't help you get more light into that space but.........
basically the ballast is the transformer unit within your hood that links to the starter and the end caps (An external light controller box like the Arcadia ones is basically a ballast in a plastic case)
The difference between your standard magnetic ballast that WILL already be in your hood when you buy it and an electronic ballast is is that the magnetic needs the starter (you know what these are) and the electronic doesn't. Also the electronic is supposed not to flicker, and the electronic doesn't get so hot.
You won't be buying a new ballast unless you know someone electrical to sort the wiring etc. out for you. (and is probs cheaper to buy a controller than the ballast on its own!!!)
This is a pic of the inside of my hood at the mo. the big block in the middle is a magnetic ballast powering 2 18W lights. the 2 circles on the left are the starters
basically the electronic will run the front light in my tank after I have ripped all this out. and I wont need starters. the 55W will run the back light but the ballast will be in the controller (plastic case) outside of the tank
basically the ballast is the transformer unit within your hood that links to the starter and the end caps (An external light controller box like the Arcadia ones is basically a ballast in a plastic case)
The difference between your standard magnetic ballast that WILL already be in your hood when you buy it and an electronic ballast is is that the magnetic needs the starter (you know what these are) and the electronic doesn't. Also the electronic is supposed not to flicker, and the electronic doesn't get so hot.
You won't be buying a new ballast unless you know someone electrical to sort the wiring etc. out for you. (and is probs cheaper to buy a controller than the ballast on its own!!!)
This is a pic of the inside of my hood at the mo. the big block in the middle is a magnetic ballast powering 2 18W lights. the 2 circles on the left are the starters
basically the electronic will run the front light in my tank after I have ripped all this out. and I wont need starters. the 55W will run the back light but the ballast will be in the controller (plastic case) outside of the tank
SuperColey1
Planted Section
The pic you see is the top of the hood i.e. what you see from outside. underneath there is 1 tube above the ballast recess, and 1 below 18W each. I bough a new 18W ballast to power the one below so I could put a 55W PC above. (The ballast you see is 30W and would put too much power into 1 tube if I just rewired it so hence I bought a 18W ballast.)
Alright I'm totally confused.
SuperColey1
Planted Section
OK This pic is the inside of the hood. again the 2 circles are the starters and the small tubes in the middle are my cold cathode moonlights
The tube on the left is the front tube when the lid is on. This is the one I am keeping, the tube on the right will go. Therefore I have to replace the 30W ballast that powers both lights, with an 18W which will power the one light. If i were to rewire the one light to the 30W ballast I would be in danger of pumping 30W into an 18W light and KABOOM.
Where the other light is at the moment (on the right) is where I will fix the 55W, although the leads will exit the hood and go to the controller which will be in a cabinet below the tank.
The tube on the left is the front tube when the lid is on. This is the one I am keeping, the tube on the right will go. Therefore I have to replace the 30W ballast that powers both lights, with an 18W which will power the one light. If i were to rewire the one light to the 30W ballast I would be in danger of pumping 30W into an 18W light and KABOOM.
Where the other light is at the moment (on the right) is where I will fix the 55W, although the leads will exit the hood and go to the controller which will be in a cabinet below the tank.
rockerBOO
Fish Fanatic
http
/www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl36...ht30doublestrip
130W
http/www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl36...xesingle30strip
65W
I Think 65W would be plenty. This site is pretty good for finding lighting and what not. Or check out the current usa ones for other options.
Make sure you are getting the 6700k lights (Freshwater) and not the saltwater ones for better results.
/www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl36...ht30doublestrip130W
http
/www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl36...xesingle30strip65W
I Think 65W would be plenty. This site is pretty good for finding lighting and what not. Or check out the current usa ones for other options.
Make sure you are getting the 6700k lights (Freshwater) and not the saltwater ones for better results.
I understand now, thank you. But is this easy to do? Would I be able to do it? (answer
robably not )
Thanks rockerboo. I think what SuperColey1 was showing me would have better results, but she (or someone else) would have to walk me through how to do it, whereas just buying the light in the link you gave me would be easier, but probably less efficient.
robably not )Thanks rockerboo. I think what SuperColey1 was showing me would have better results, but she (or someone else) would have to walk me through how to do it, whereas just buying the light in the link you gave me would be easier, but probably less efficient.
SuperColey1
Planted Section
Sorry didn't post the pic. As I said I don't know if they sell the power compact by interpet in US but probs someone else does them?
I only did it this way, becauseI wanted to keep my existing hood rather than make my own or have a luminaire with gaps etc. this way was the easiest option whilst still keeping everything tidy and closed.
If you watch my journal, I'll be going through the hood change in about 2 weks (moving house next week)
I only did it this way, becauseI wanted to keep my existing hood rather than make my own or have a luminaire with gaps etc. this way was the easiest option whilst still keeping everything tidy and closed.
If you watch my journal, I'll be going through the hood change in about 2 weks (moving house next week)
Renate
Fish Crazy
Try www.ahsupply.com or EBay.
Best buys are the saltwater tank lights. Lights for saltwater tanks can sometimes be adjusted to freshwater tanks by just changing the bulbs. First contact the company to see if lights can be swapped out for lower ones.
I got a saltwater light by current usa. It has 2 dual t5 lights and only cost $50, including shipping. It is a little shorter than my tank but has great output. Only problem with the light fixture is that the fans are loud. Thus I am going to replace them. Found some quiet fans for $8 on line, just can't decide what size.
Best buys are the saltwater tank lights. Lights for saltwater tanks can sometimes be adjusted to freshwater tanks by just changing the bulbs. First contact the company to see if lights can be swapped out for lower ones.
I got a saltwater light by current usa. It has 2 dual t5 lights and only cost $50, including shipping. It is a little shorter than my tank but has great output. Only problem with the light fixture is that the fans are loud. Thus I am going to replace them. Found some quiet fans for $8 on line, just can't decide what size.
aaronnorth
www.ukaps.org
with your tank being large, 3WPG will be higher than that. You also havent stated wether you want T5, T8 etc.
T5 has more output per square inch, so if the 65w link provided above is T%, that will be plenty
T5 has more output per square inch, so if the 65w link provided above is T%, that will be plenty
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