SamH Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 I was wanting to get metal halide lighting and I just need to know if there's a limit on how much power I should have? I was hoping to grow some plants with high light and CO2 needs and I've read heaps about metal halide. Is 150W too much for a 54 litre? Will it "fry" the plants? Also, how do I run it safely? Heaps of fans? Suspended? Etc... Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 If you want to use very strong light you will also need to add carbon from CO2 or flourish excell, macronutrient and micronutrient. It has to come as a complete package so that the plants can grow. I can't help with the halide info as I know nothing about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 what is the K rating on the bulb? and jeepers that's a lot of light for a 54L tank - what are its dimensions? a 150W MH is pretty bright, so some plants may not like all that light. need to know how high the tank is though (water level). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaNs Posted June 6, 2009 Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 Go for a 70w Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted June 6, 2009 Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 You are talking about nearly 3watts per litre, I would be more concerned with it boiling the water in the tank, let alone the plants! What sort of fitting is it? Tank dimensions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted June 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 The tank dimensions are 600mm long and 300mm high and wide. Would I need some sort of fan/cooling system? I thought that heaps of light is okay if you balance it with ferts and CO2? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 but that is tooo much light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaNs Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Run fluros Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted June 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 I'm already running one fluro on the tank, just a standard warm white tube. Should I get another and some of those plant specific tubes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Warm white is not the right type of tube for growing plants. Go for more of the cool white or daylight bulbs. You can buy the special ones from LFS but they are about 5 times the price of the ones from a DIY store, Look for 6500k tubes AKA 865 HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaNs Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 I'm already running one fluro on the tank, just a standard warm white tube. Should I get another and some of those plant specific tubes? Run 2, 3 or 4 tubes if your going co2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted June 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 Anyone have any second hand or cheap new fluro ballasts that they wouldn't mind selling? Or any tips on how to wire it all up? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaNs Posted June 8, 2009 Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 Electrical wholesalers..buynew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted June 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 Thanks Hans. Do you mean lighting plus/lighting direct or a more industrial type place? Can I use a normal, white fluroescent energy saver bulb to light one of my smaller tanks? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaNs Posted June 8, 2009 Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 Thanks Hans. Do you mean lighting plus/lighting direct or a more industrial type place? Can I use a normal, white fluroescent energy saver bulb to light one of my smaller tanks? Thanks Industrial Yes, just find one thats rated 6500k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted June 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 How should I mounth the tubes above the aquarium? Im just using a plywood box with no bottom, is this okay? There are plenty of holes for ventilation. Do I need to mount it above with wires or somethings? Thanks 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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