Making A Hood

[phoenixgsd]

i am attempting to make a hood, can anyone advise me on lights, i already have a arcadia floresent light controller and was thinking of just getting a tube light as they are supposed to be for aquariums and reptiles, my question is what watt bulb/tube and are they water proof as there will obviously be condensation


ETA..... it will be for a 3ft tank with live plants

 

[phoenixgsd]

anyone?

 

[phoenixgsd]

no one has any advice on what wattage or even if its the right light to use?

 

[phoenixgsd]

bump,

 

[phoenixgsd]

wow im having a conversation with myself

 

[DrRob]

Depends on a number of things. What tubes does the controller take, what colours do you like and what light level are you aiming for. The controller you mentioned comes in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, taking T5 or T8 bulbs, either double or single, and will be rated for the maximum wattage it can handle, although it won't care if you put less in.

If you're going for tubes then either go for specialist aquarium ones or just do what I do and go for the higher Kelvin range tubes from somewhere like lamp specs. I use the daylight T5's from there and find it slightly yellow for my liking but it's not disagreeable. That's largely my preference though.

The plants don't seem to care all that much what colour you go for, so long as there's usable light.

So basically, what colour do you like? What controller have you got? What light level are you aiming for (i.e. high tech with CO2/ferts, low tech or somewhere in between)?

 

[chris_mcr]

expand slightly on what you plan to use maybe, if you can link online something similar you may get more help.

do you want lighting for looks alone or plant growth?

i have read threads today which use perspex or glass as a lid, wooden lids and shop bought hoods.... what are you looking to do?

there are clip on lighting solutions widely available

 

[phoenixgsd]

http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ARCADIA-6W-8W-FISH-TANK-FLUORESCENT-LIGHTING-LIGHT-UNIT-CONTROLLER-TYPE-C1-ACO8-/200738996826?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item2ebcfa025a this is the controller i already have, the colour of the light dosnt matter as long as the plants are happy, i just assumed the tubes for this controller are white, the hood will be wooden and as i foster cats, the clip on lights arent a option as often have very tiny kittens so the hood has to be very secure, the only ferts i use is a bit of seachem florish exel

 

[DrRob]

Listing has ended, relist shows a 6-8W T5 controller, if it is, you'll need something with a little more oomph to light a 3 footer sensibly. Is that what you've got or is it's wattage higher?

 

[phoenixgsd]

i thought all controllers were the same

 

[DrRob]

Controllers come in a wide variety. To start with, for aquariums, they usually come for either T5 or T8 tubes, and are not compatible with the other. Some can take 2 bulbs, some 1. They'll all show a maximum wattage of bulb that they can handle, which will generally, for fluorescent tubes, be related to the length. Which takes you back to the question, how much light do you want? You will probably be fine with T8's if you're not growing anything too demanding.

 

[phoenixgsd]

it only takes one tube, the sticker says its a AC 18 model type C3, TUBE 18w its currently being used on my tortoise table, with any UV tube that was cheapest at time of purchase, so assuming its up to the job, what sort of type and length of tube can i use for the hood? the tank does have alot of various plants, types of plant vary i have camboda and anubius but have no idea what the others are

 

[phoenixgsd]

bump

 

[phoenixgsd]

what about this one http/www.lampspecs.co.uk/Light-Bulbs-Tubes/Oceanic-Flora/Narva-18W-Oceanic-Flora-Aquarium-Tube-2Ft-18-Watt is it suitable? does it do what it says it can do?