AquaVitamins Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Heya all, i was talking to Less from Animates yesterday and he had a cool solution to my low lighting problem I currently have a Blue Planet 140L check it out here : http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=43693 My lighting is a total of 26 T5 Watts but even with reflectors the depth of the tank makes them weak. I want to have lush plant growth, and grow all the light needy plants :DDD So Solution! :bounce: 1.Remove the current lighting, easy enough as it is all unscrewable. 2. Buy http://www.hollywoodfishfarm.co.nz/product_detail.php?id=1910 3. Get 10000k? lights from a wholesaler? 4. Buy reflectors which will screw into the lid, and then clip the tubes into them. 5. Plants !!!! Already have excel. Buy Seachem Flourish. So i should end up with like 108 Watts of HO T5 lighting with reflectors hopefully doubling the lighting Question, Has anyone used the Hagen lighting system? And is there something im forgetting? or have missed out, likely i have so please point me in the right way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 More people seem to be inclined to throw WPG and total wattage out the door but are more concerned about spectrum and intensity. Sounds like you have a good plan though, should work well with most plants. Details on what you'd like to grow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaVitamins Posted February 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Heya, I would like to grow lots of things haha but im not sure what i can actually get in NZ. So i googled and heres a list of my likes Cardamine lyrata http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/myPlantsImage.php?n=459_100_0344.jpg Anubias minima http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/myPlantsImage.php?n=86_main.jpg Bacopa Caroliniana http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/myPlantsImage.php?n=254_bacopa.jpg Amazon Sword Elocharis acicularis? Not sure if i can keep with Corys.. http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/myPlantsImage.php?n=122_dwarfhairgrass.jpg Glossostigma elatinoides Goes with out saying .. personal favourite. Rotala sp. 'wallichii' - not sure? Hydrocotyle leucocephala - already in tank Hygrophila Corymbosa var Compact http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/myPlantsImage.php?n=95_Hygrophila_Corymbosa_var_Compact.jpg RED!!! - Myriophyllum tuberculatum Pogostemon stellatus http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/myPlantsImage.php?n=124_65.jpg Im looking for like a really nice mixture of textures and color, http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/myPlantsImage.php?n=124_65.jpg There is also a guy on the forums, cant remember his name, but he has lovely tanks as well, think he said he works in Animates palmy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 me? :oops: sorta has to be me as im the only one from that store on here. :lol: you can get all of those plants here except the Pogostemon stellatus. wallichi is sold as red pine over here. common as hell in AKL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaVitamins Posted February 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 me? :oops: hahah Yea you! i love ur planted tank, its beautiful Its good to hear i can get most of the plants here in NZ If im using Excel, would i still need CO2? Also what kelvin rating should i be going for? 10 000k ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 If im using Excel, would i still need CO2? Also what kelvin rating should i be going for? 10 000k ? You won't need CO2 with Excel but the higher the lighting, the better CO2 will be instead of Excel. I use 6500k on my planted tanks but if I could I'd use a combination of 6500k and 10000k, perhaps one in each socket? Maybe even a 18000k in place of the 10000k? HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaVitamins Posted February 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Thanks Sam, Can you buy 18k bulbs from Lighting wholesalers? I was thinking about doing one of each, its better to do so right? Have you ever used that particular lighting system ? I havent been able to find any reviews on it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 No worries, just share you're knowledge and experience with others in future 8) Can you buy 18k bulbs from Lighting wholesalers? I don't think so. Power-glo bulbs are 18000k and about $50, available from all good fish/pet stores. I was thinking about doing one of each, its better to do so right? Yes, it is better to get a wider spectrum in most cases, I think it applies here too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 if you want red plants, get an 18000K. if you want ferns, swords and green plants, 10000K. a combination of 18000K powerglo (only) and a 10000K provides great results. I use 2 18000K powerglos and 2 10000K T5HO's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaVitamins Posted February 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Oh ok cool. I would go for 10k & 18K combo then, But what about the 6500? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 not needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 not needed. *glares* Whatever works really. Take P44's advice, he's the one with the awesome tank 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 hhahaha. dont strain the eyes sam. aqua you are welcome to come see the tank if you are ever up this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaVitamins Posted February 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 ooooohhh tension hahaha So Does that mean 6500 is good for plants? cas there also cheaper Thanks for the offer phoenix, next time im up ill give u a call I dont usually go their tho Why dont you just bring ur tanks to welly? :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 So Does that mean 6500 is good for plants? cas there also cheaper I am growing my plants just fine under 6500k's, P44 likes to do it the expensive way though :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaVitamins Posted February 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 What are u growing? 6500k can be brought from wholesalers i think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 What are u growing? *shifty* :lol: Just Glosso, some stems, mosses and Java Fern. Also grew Riccia under 6500k too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 *shifty* :lol: Just Glosso, some stems, mosses and Java Fern. Also grew Riccia under 6500k too. youll get better results under 10000K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaVitamins Posted February 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2010 When is the Next Aqua fun day? do you think i should wait for that to buy the things i need? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted February 17, 2010 Report Share Posted February 17, 2010 When is the Next Aqua fun day? do you think i should wait for that to buy the things i need? Depends on your budget and patience, a simple equation will explain all: Budget > Patience = Wait for the fun day Budget < Patience = Go all out right now 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaVitamins Posted February 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2010 Not sure. What about budget = patience What cost would i be looking at? *Lighting unit - 54Watt system? $X *2 bulbs 10k , 18k $60 ea *2 reflectors $X *Flourish comprehensive $X What kinda discount would the Aquafun day sale have on these items ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted February 17, 2010 Report Share Posted February 17, 2010 Just a general guestimate: *Lighting unit - 54Watt system? = $200.00 *2 bulbs 10k , 18k = 10000k $30 and 18000k $50 so $80 total *2 reflectors = Make your own? Maybe $30.00 if you buy them? *Flourish comprehensive = $30.00 I think? HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted February 17, 2010 Report Share Posted February 17, 2010 10000K are like 40 bucks at most. HO that is. 18000K is $64 or so. comprehensive is about $20? I dont know what the naked HO systems are worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted February 17, 2010 Report Share Posted February 17, 2010 Flourish comprehensive is $35/250mls from Animates although you can get it for $40/500mls if you look around. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaVitamins Posted February 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2010 What about LED lighting? i found this guy selling it on Trademe, but dont know much about the technology http://www.trademe.co.nz/Home-living/Pets-animals/Fish/Lights-lamps/auction-272822655.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.