New Tank What Lights?

[Brainjuice]

Hello,

I ordered me a nice new tank 3 feet long, 2 feet high and 1.5 wide. I've got a CO2 system for it which I'm running on my older smaller tank for now until the new turns up.

But my problem is I just can't make up my mind what lights to use!!

My thoughts so far;

1. T5 tubes probably D&D Twin Fluorescent Razor Light probably about x 2.
2. TMC's GroBeam 500 DuoTwin maybe 2 of them
3. TMC's GroBeam 1000 ND maybe x 2.

I like the TMC stuff as it has the 5 year guarantee, but Grobeam 500 Duo twin is very nice but it doesn't go the full lengh of the tank, so then there's the GroBeam 1000 ND (LED tiles) which I could spread across the tank so that could be ok. Or there's the T5 tubes which would be the full lenght of the tank, but might cost more to run, and seeing as we seem to be getting more and more tanks the running costs are worth considering!!

Any idea's greatfully received.

Thanks

 

[Ps3Steveo]

LED all the way mate.

 

[Brainjuice]

Yer I think I prefer the idea of LED's and the one's I've been looking at look good and the 5 year guarantee seems like a very good idea. But I'm conserned the lenght of the TMC GroBeam 500 DuoTwin is far to short and the TMC GroBeam 1000 ND might made the light look patchy! maybe...

http/www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/aquaray-grobeam-1000-lighting-tile-p-3038.html

http/www.swelluk.com/aquarium/fish-tank-lighting-28/aquabeam-lights-1109/tmc-grobeam-500-natural-daylight-twin-250068.html

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Mate for the price you pay for them I could build you 5 sets of lights for your tank and they would be the right length lol.

 

[Brainjuice]

Tell me more, would they be a sealed units?

Would the colour be right for a planted tank?
A planted display tank I've seen in a LFS had the same tank I've ordered with with if I remember correctly 4 T5 tubes and a single blue. They turned off the blue tube to show me the differance, and I quite liked it with the blue there. Can the blue be there with the LEDs?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

I can do anything with LEDs mate, any colour, any power, wooden hood type thing or hanging aluminium bars over the top of the tank for the modern look.

 

[Brainjuice]

Oh right! Have you got any pictures of units to have a little look at?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Page 1.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/398885-custom-led-lighting-units/

Pages 2&3.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/398884-custom-led-lighting-units/page__st__20

Thread.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/405196-55l-first-time-use-of-leds/

 

[miksan]

Here is another LED suggestion that is tailored to a 'natural' light cycle: See http/www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0085TVE76/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00

 

[Brainjuice]

Here is another LED suggestion that is tailored to a 'natural' light cycle: See http/www.amazon.co...ils_o02_s00_i00

Yer just had a quick look at them, and they look alright, but I'm still favouring Ps3Steveo's light's, plus he's a local boy trying to earn a living and I'm happy to support that.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Well drop me a PM when your ready for the build mate.

 

[Brainjuice]

Well drop me a PM when your ready for the build mate.

Yep will do.

 

[miksan]

Here is another LED suggestion that is tailored to a 'natural' light cycle: See http/www.amazon.co...ils_o02_s00_i00

Yer just had a quick look at them, and they look alright, but I'm still favouring Ps3Steveo's light's, plus he's a local boy trying to earn a living and I'm happy to support that.

I am all for supporting local talent. For recommendation and future needs, I am prudently interested in cost & feature comparisons (Just the facts mam). I would like to see some of Ps3Steveo's light's and their features. Are there any locations, here or otherwise, with the specifications and features of these lighting systems?

Ps3Steveo, do you have any information, photos, or specs regarding what you build? If always custom, what are the costs per feature? For an example, what is your total charge for building a 24" LED plant lamp with the same features as the Marineland plant/moonlight LED with dual timer (i.e. http/www.amazon.com/Marineland-24-Inch-36-Inch-Aquatic-Plant/dp/B0085TVE76/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1358277694&sr=8-3&keywords=marineland+led+plant+light)? This will greatly help myself and others who are unfamiliar with your work.

TIA all y'all.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Most are familiar on here, I don't dim mine as that shortens life (trust me I'm a City & Guilds electronics engineer), I do moon light options, all colourations available from 3000K-20000K, each one is different so they are tailored to the buyers needs. New types for this year will be in the style of TMC grobeams but 1/2 the price and some for the buyers with a little more to spend and wanting real style will be hanging, clear perspex tiles, 18 x 3W LED's totalling 54Watts per tile, no wires on show just clear perspex tiles. The 54W will be the equivalent of around 80W of T5. There will be an official company starting this year and a full portfolio of the work on offer.

 

[Brainjuice]

Most are familiar on here, I don't dim mine as that shortens life (trust me I'm a City & Guilds electronics engineer), I do moon light options, all colourations available from 3000K-20000K, each one is different so they are tailored to the buyers needs. New types for this year will be in the style of TMC grobeams but 1/2 the price and some for the buyers with a little more to spend and wanting real style will be hanging, clear perspex tiles, 18 x 3W LED's totalling 54Watts per tile, no wires on show just clear perspex tiles.

The 54W will be the equivalent of around 80W of T5. There will be an official company starting this year and a full portfolio of the work on offer.

That sounds GREAT! I can't wait till I can order mine now, I've got some pictures now of the tank in the shop that show the inside of the lid but I don't think it'll be good enough, so I think I'll still have to wait till mine comes before I can order it.