Okay here is the problem, I'm new to planted tanks. I read and read about lights and im sooo confused.. I have a 125 gallon aquarium and want to able to grow high light plants, need help picking out some lights.. And can I get the kind of light output with a diy project? Went to a lfs and they tried to sell me a 1300 dollar light fixture...
Help with lighting...
- Thread starter cmurphy5583
- Start date
i cant really help you too much, but there is a thread about how to determine the wattage you need.
i have a 2x99 watt 10k andscent(sp) light system, on my 125 gallon,and i dont think that is even that much for 125.
i have a 2x99 watt 10k andscent(sp) light system, on my 125 gallon,and i dont think that is even that much for 125.
there are alot of options... you can buy a fixture or a diy kits are just as good sometimes better. the icecap ballasts (660 i think it is) can drive up to 4 48" HO t-5s and it over drives the bulbs so instead of 54 watts i think its around 80 watts per bulbs. or you can get a cheaper ballasts. (this will shorten the life of your bulb a little)
and a 125 is six feet in length correct? if so you have a few options you can either go with 48" bulbs and stager them. or you can go with 36" bulbs and put two of them together to span the length of the tank. or i think if you go the diy route you can find 70" ballasts and bulbs.
i have never personaly done a DIY set up but you can easily get as good if not better light from them as you can customize the reflectors and ballasts.... reflectors are going to be one of the most important parts of any fixture you buy. a fixture with individual reflectors (one for each bulb) will be ten times brighter then one with a single reflector.
hope that helped and didnt confuse you.
and a 125 is six feet in length correct? if so you have a few options you can either go with 48" bulbs and stager them. or you can go with 36" bulbs and put two of them together to span the length of the tank. or i think if you go the diy route you can find 70" ballasts and bulbs.
i have never personaly done a DIY set up but you can easily get as good if not better light from them as you can customize the reflectors and ballasts.... reflectors are going to be one of the most important parts of any fixture you buy. a fixture with individual reflectors (one for each bulb) will be ten times brighter then one with a single reflector.
hope that helped and didnt confuse you.
Thanks, I have another post about the nova extreme 36'' t5 4x39 light fixtures.. Are these any good? Was thinking about getting 2. Also i have a wet/dry filter. Now I heard this isn't good because of the co2 that you lose. But if I get a 20 pound tank and run it a little rcher would this counter act the lost co2?