I got me some new fancy lights!!!!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
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pyroman9

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 26, 2008
69
0
0
Rochester
Hey all.

So after a year of trying to grow plants with standard t8 bulbs in my 55g i have given up. I had 30w worth of t8 light in it which consisted of x2 24in bulbs.

Well yesterday I picked up a Glo t5 HO dual bulb 48inch setup. Man is it bright!!!

Few questions though... This one could not be set on top of hoods, it fit alright but it was awfully hot.. So what suggestions do people have for hoods? I just need something to keep the fishies from jumping out and pulling a kamikazee.
 
is it a glass tank with full size opening, or acrylic? and careful with that light on that size tank, its A LOT of light if youre not running co2
 
cardona you are right. I took out one bulb and i can barely tell the difference. Any suggestions on a single t5 fixture? I got this one on a deal so i grabbed it. Looks AMAZING. But your right that much HO on a 55g would cause a huge algae bloom. Even with CO2 it would be a task i am sure. I have plenty of fish in the tank to give off CO2 (I have a all barb tank for the most part, many types of barbs.)
 
There are many options for you. I would suggest first to look at other people tanks to get a feel for what the possiblities are.

One possiblity is a canopy. You can build, or buy, a canopy that you can mount your lights in. Installing fans in the canopy will help controll the heat that the lights put out.

If a canopy is not what you are after you can use plastic egg crate (light diffuser) or build covers out of bird/pond netting and window framing materials to keep your fish from jumping.

I went with the plastic egg crate for one of my tanks. I bought it from a local plumbing and electrical store in 2' x4' sheets and cut it down to size to cover my tank. It is not the prettiest top, but it is cheap and efficient.
 
pyroman9;3497798;3497798 said:
cardona you are right. I took out one bulb and i can barely tell the difference. Any suggestions on a single t5 fixture? I got this one on a deal so i grabbed it. Looks AMAZING. But your right that much HO on a 55g would cause a huge algae bloom. Even with CO2 it would be a task i am sure. I have plenty of fish in the tank to give off CO2 (I have a all barb tank for the most part, many types of barbs.)
Click to expand...
yeah i had a similar two bulb fixture on my 55g. even with lots of co2 it was a challenge to keep the algae in check. what if you try running it with just one bulb? and maybe use Flourish Excel to help add a source of carbon. might help keep algae in check that way
 
I actually went to the LFS and found the same fixture but only for a single bulb. So i got to return a bulb ($25) and the difference in the fixture ($40). So I saved $65 AND I got what was better for my tank!!

NOW THAT IS SHOPPING!!
 
hmmm I presume i should post a pic or two... before and after
BEFORE
P7080072.jpg


AFTER
P9300003.jpg
 
NICE! I am really feelin the wood. The light makes a big difference, too. Cool tank!

Oh, and what did you decide about the cover? I have a glass cover. Light is lost through it, but i have a Bichir, so I am afraid of anything less than a solid barrier.
 
thats a great piece of driftwood! what color temp is that bulb? is it the 18,000k power glo?
 
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