Marine Over Freshwater

[ShoC]

I have been looking on this site.
http/www.aquatics-direct.co.uk/productDe...4&catID=310


its 20quid cheaper over another site I have seen
but this states its Marine whats the damage of using it over a Freshwater.?
As they don't have it for freshwater

and can someone say if I am making a mistake buying T5 over T8 if the advantage don't outweight the cost I would prefer T8

 

[andywg]

The unit itself will be fine. If it comes with tubes then the chances are they will be a bit high for most planted set ups (many marine white tubes are 10,000K or 12,000K with temperatures climbing as high as 20,000K - I have even seen a MH bulb at 30,000K).

 

[backtotropical]

I have the Arcadia T5 Luminaire. Excellent piece of kit!!

 

[ShoC]

what sort of dire effects am going to have using Marine lights on a FreshWater?
because im looking at 20quid for new lights I might aswell go to the other site

 

[andywg]

Most likely effects are less plant growth, and a higher probability of algae growing.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

I have the Arcadia T5 Luminaire. Excellent piece of kit!!

Snap, would highly recommend. Not only great quality lighting units but they look very cool as well.

 

[ShoC]

Im at a loss of what to do then,

buy them or pay 180 for the same thing but from different site.


Edit: I decided to e-mail them to see if they are able to arrange for me to have a freshwater sorted out for hopefully the same price

 

[Dave Spencer]

I have seen some successful planted tanks using marine tubes, but they were very experienced guys, and they may well have been using some freshwater tubes alongside them. What you need to do is find out what tubes they are with the luminaire and search the internet for a graph showing their spectrum. If they are Arcadia tubes then it should be easy enough.

From what little I know about marine tubes, I think they have a large spike in the blue spectrum. Your plants are going to need a red spike as well as the blue. Shop around to see if you can find a freshwater specifc luminaire. I saw plenty in the past when I was shopping around, but can`t remember where exactly. Try looking up Interpet luminaires as well.

If you end up having to buy separate tubes (but I doubt it), try for a mixture of flora and daylight tubes. The daylight tubes will have a spike in the green part of the spectrum which will help with the colour rendition, which basically makes the overall light pleasing to the eye.

Any reason why you want to avoid using T5 tubes?

Dave.

 

[ShoC]

oh I'm not avoiding them,
I just thought if the benefits of T5 over T8 are not that significant I could of got
arcadia Luminare for 99quid 2x 25w where as the t5 was 2x 24w for 150quid,

I have found a Freshwater T5 but its 180 on another site, 30quid more than the marine from where I was currently looking,
I'm waiting for an e-mail back to say if they can get me them for 150,

(if all that makes sense)

 

[Dave Spencer]

High output (HO) T5 lamps give off significantly more light than T8 lamps. A luminaire with 2 x 24W HO T5 lamps will produce more light than a three tube T8. The T5 tubes last longer as well, apparently.

I use Interpet PC and Geisemann linear T5s, and they are vastly superior to the T8s I have used, but you pay your money and make your choice.

Dave.

EDIT: I forgot to ask how big is your tank?

 

[ShoC]

High output (HO) T5 lamps give off significantly more light than T8 lamps. A luminaire with 2 x 24W HO T5 lamps will produce more light than a three tube T8. The T5 tubes last longer as well, apparently.

I use Interpet PC and Geisemann linear T5s, and they are vastly superior to the T8s I have used, but you pay your money and make your choice.

Dave.

EDIT: I forgot to ask how big is your tank?

My tank is

3ft (36inch)
1ft wide
15 1/2 inches tall

I looked at your Geisemann (wow expensive) beyond my budget (for now untill I know more )

I don't know what Interpret PC is I searched but didn't find much. (that I understood)

I'm not after HUGE output just enough to have a nice tank, Main reason Is so I can carpet my tank, I just love the look of them and want a wider range of plant options and Overtanks do look very nice

 

[Dave Spencer]

Yeah, I only use Geisemann tubes in a cheap EQJ trading luminaire off eBay. I wouldn`t want to fork out on the whole assembly.

The PC T5s won`t fit in to a luminaire that I know of, I only mentioned them to make a general point about T5 lighting.

It is possible to have plants such as HC and eleocharis sp carpetting with less than 2WPG, but glosso will be more demanding of light.

Have a look at the site linked below and type carpet in to the advanced search.

http/www.tropica.com/default.asp

Dave.

 

[ShoC]

I think I am going to buy the T5 Luminare I assume

PC t5 is a form of T5 lighting

As for Carpet plants I have my eyes set on Dwarf hair grass.
I should have 2.2w or something close if I buy the lights I want (not worked out yet only a guess.)

http/www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_viewer.php?id=115 <-- Dwarf hair

or

http/www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_viewer.php?id=189 <-- Dwarf Sag

 

[Dave Spencer]

I`m a big fan of hairgrasses myself. I have Eleocharis vivipara and acicularis in one tank and Eleocharis `parvula` in another tank.

What you will need to consider is that they are usually delivered in their emersed form, meaning that you will get a die off of the original leaves whilst the submerged ones are growing through. It is important that once you have planted the hairgrass you cut off all the leaves at substrate level, otherwise they become real algae magnets as they die.

I have an Iwagumi that is carpetting nicely with Eleocharis `parvula` finally, but that was after a long battle with Rhizoclonium. The algae has set this tank back by a month or two, and I suspect that some of the hairgrass was not cut back far enough. Still, the hairgrass is starting to look great now and is a very rewarding plant. i might even get the chance to update the journal soon.

Dave.

 

[ShoC]

I hope to see some pictures.

Glad you told me about planting it then cutting it to gravel level

I'm considering finding a home for my 3 neon tetras (sadly 2 died) and I have put off buying for the reasons I want to have a planted tank.

My danio and Brisstlenose should be okay with my red tailed shark if I provide enough territory in my other 3ft (hopefully)