chojin Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 I'm thinking of setting up a planted tank in my new flat. There’s a perfect spot between the kitchen and living area about 800mm wide. I want to get a tank custom made to fit the spot and have the top fully open so the plants can grow out of the water into the room. But is there a light fitting that can fit in a 800 gap? What would you experts recommend lighting wise? Is it ok to have a tropical tank open? Will it make the house damp? Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 a 600mm light will fit in a 800 mm gap. I'd go for t5's and suspend them with the brackets they come with. get a rimless tank made. it will look mint, if you get the right plants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chojin Posted May 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Thanks phoenix, how many T5 tubes would I be looking at? Two minimum right? I want to do this properly so would 3 be safer? What about reflectors? I want something that looks nice and clean, maybe stainless. Is there any particular retailer anyone would recommend (I’m in Wellington)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 2T5 HO's would be more than sufficient. - Edit - and by 2 I mean, 1 lighthood that has 2 tube sockets. just a reminder that the hoods do not come with tubes, so you need to purchase them separately. most shops have 18000K tubes in stock, and those are my favourite but they cost a fair bit - I use them with excellent results. If you want 10000K or 6500K tubes you might have to order them in, or try an electronic wholesaler or a local lighting store. I'm hoping price is not too much of an issue for you. :lol: the T5 hoods come with reflectors. I would recommend any retailer that you have dealt with before, and are happy with the service. It would also help if they had the hood in stock, lol. it would also help if you told us how high you wanted the tank to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chojin Posted May 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 I want the tank relatively high 500mm or higher, because i think this will look best in the spot. When you say hood are you thinking specialised aquarium lighting? I was thinking more of an architectural hanging light fitting. Do such things exist? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 gimme a sec, ill go take a pic and put it up here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 ok so. every t5 HO Hood comes with these little things: they normally hide in the hood, and you have to pull them out. the hood also comes with suspension cables that are metal. you basically screw the nail on one end to the roof and hang the metal wire down, and hook up the hook to the light, and it hangs like a pro setup. :bounce: I hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chojin Posted May 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Yea thats the kind of thing im after. Thaks for the pic btw you guys are so helpful!! These do look expensive any idea how much a 600mm would set me back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreams Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Around $200-300. You could try put up a post in the private trade and exchange section for a cheaper second handset - Worked for me make sure u get all the bits tat come with these when u buy them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 I'd go with metal halides. They generally penetrate better than T5s and T8s and are more efficient I believe than T5 HOs(which are less efficient than standard T5s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chojin Posted May 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 But aren’t metal halides ~150W minimum? I thought two t5 HO bulbs would only be about 50W total.. These arcadia ones look good http://www.arcadia-uk.info/product.php?pid=71&mid=10&lan=en⊂=&id=4 but would i need to buy the electronic ballast system as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chojin Posted May 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 Ok i baught this http://www.trademe.co.nz/Home-living/Pets-animals/Fish/Lights-lamps/auction-216945103.htm Seems like a good deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave+Amy Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 those TM lights don't look like the type you suspend though...metal halides can get expensive and you got to factor in they get quite hot etc etc... Port Nicholsons Glass do a good job with custom made tanks did us a real good deal when we needed two tanks urgently - he did one using marine grade metal instead of the normal pine and it looked really modern if that's the look you're going for with the hanging metal halides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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