Yet Another Lighting Post lol

[maoripho3nix]

OK

So I'm quite new to the whole aquarium scene, and haven't gone ahead to buy the big expensive equipment yet as I'm a solo dad 8) on a tight budget. So far I have been studying what to use etc and gone from there to collect prices for items I need to buy.

My end goal as a newbie and just to start off in keeping an aquarium, is to have a small glosso planted aquarium with either Shrimp, or Cardinal Tetras. I wanted to use Hemianthus callitrichoides "Cuba", but its hard to source it.

As I said before I have been studying and budgeting, starting from the bottom up. So far the things I have purchased are:

Aquarium Kit - Aquarium (31.5Lx18.5Wx 24.5H) with Aqua One Clear View Hang on Filter (200l/hr)

JBL Aquabasis

Aquarium Gravel

DIY Co2 Kit with Diffuser

Air pump + accessories

Heater (In case of tropical fish)

Glosso Plants (on hold)

Fish/Shrimp (on hold)

Now my next step is lighting :oops: , I have read through posts and the sticky FAQ on lighting etc. Some of it is jargon, other stuff I do get. But most of the posts relate to fluorescent tubes, expensive aquarium lights and so on.

Dont get me wrong this is great info and I hope to get to a point where I can afford to get the generic equipment that most people use.

However I have seen few pics of people using what seems like desk lamps :-? (they may be special aquarium lamps not sure), usually free standing or clipped on to the aquarium. I have thought of the DIY concept of lighting, but firstly I dont trust myself (I am no qualified sparky), second its only a small tank and it would seem stupid to do such a project for a small tank, third I still want the tank to look presentable in its future spot in the lounge.

As my budget is very tight, I thought using a desk/aquarium lamp might be the alternative for now to lighting the aquarium and also for the highly required light for my glosso plants that will be in it.

My questions are.....

Are they ordinary desk lamps?

Can I use them?

What light bulbs do I get for them? Detailed specs? :oops:

Are there any special/extra requirements running these instead of fluorescent tubes?

Keep in mind I'm new to the concept, and I'm on a tight budget. :roll: Anything that can save me money in purchasing and running costs is gonna be good (as would be the same for all of us im sure). I've heard of people using power saver bulbs with excellent results, anyone care to comment on please do.

Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks

[SamH]

Are they ordinary desk lamps?

Yes they are, available at most hardware stores for around $10

Can I use them?

Sure can 8)

What light bulbs do I get for them? Detailed specs? :oops:

6500k 23w Energy Saver CFLs. I'd go for Philips in the green and white box, labelled cool daylight.

Are there any special/extra requirements running these instead of fluorescent tubes?

Nope

HTH

[maoripho3nix]

Thanks for the quick reply, atleast I know these are an option now.

Will the lighting be sufficient enough for the glosso?

Will using 2 lights make a difference? or will i just need a higher K lightbulb?

Ive read that if there isn't enough lighting the glosso stems up instead of out like a carpet, which will be the effect im going for.

Thanks for the help/confirmation

[SamH]

I was running 3 of these over Glosso, apart from the algae it was doing well. In your setup I think the single bulb would be sufficient, seeing as it's less than 1/3 of the tank I was doing it in.

Good luck.

[Brennos]

I have also run these, and they work very well over my ambulia and hair grass I had in my last tank.

[si_sphinx]

Also you may not need to use the air pump if you are going to be using co2

[phoenix44]

The equipment list is a bit confusing. You wont need a heater if you are going to have FW shrimp in there; then if you have shrimp in there, minnnows are probably the only other fish you can put in with them that will survive a cold winter. Them and FW mussels which are awesome.

So if you decide you want a cold water tank with glosso, you could sell the heater and raise some money for other stuff you may need, like a nice set of lights that looks visually appealing. if you have a filter running I do not foresee the need for an airpump either, and having an airpump running is counter productive to adding CO2 in the tank. As long as your stocking levels are alright, you should be fine.

Personally I would use nice lights on a tank, and not the normal CFL's - just personal preference; plants grow better, faster and it looks good. If it were my only tank, I'd want it to look like a pro tank not with stuff from the warehouse hanging on top of it. You could even DIY your own light hood and use tubes - lots of threads on here that show how to do it with T5's and T8's.

Maybe you could buy one of those nice looking lamp shades from bunnings or something like that, and somehow rig it in a way that you like. I have seen a number of very neat looking metallic units that look very nice; all you need to do is like it and change the bulbs.

HTH

[HaNs]

Also you may not need to use the air pump if you are going to be using co2

You DONT want to be using CO2 and O2 injection at the same time

[maoripho3nix]

The equipment list is a bit confusing. You wont need a heater if you are going to have FW shrimp in there

Heater (In case of tropical fish)

Its most likely going to be the shrimp in there but I bought ahead of things incase I wanted to ditch the shrimp idea and use tetras instead.

Personally I would use nice lights on a tank, and not the normal CFL's - just personal preference; plants grow better, faster and it looks good. If it were my only tank, I'd want it to look like a pro tank not with stuff from the warehouse hanging on top of it.

I know my descriptions dont seem much of a professional setup, hoping sooner or later ill have a better budget to work with, then ill upgrade tank,filter,lighting etc on my current budget the lamp/cfl combo will have to do for now. Can't wait though, ive seen the pic of your tank setup, i like it

The tank setup im doing is really budget/newbie, but in order for me to learn im starting off with it.

You could even DIY your own light hood and use tubes - lots of threads on here that show how to do it with T5's and T8's.

LOL as i said in my post I dont trust myself enough to do DIY electrical equipment, not that the kids will touch as they know better, but I would rather buy something budget for now that is properly closed and covered, so then my mind is at ease.

You DONT want to be using CO2 and O2 injection at the same time

I know the combination is pointless, but I have read that shrimp require higher oxygen levels than normal. Will the oxygen levels without the added o2 be sufficient enough for the shrimp??

Thanx heaps for your comments guys, helps us newbies a lot on stuff that has been enthusiast tested by yourselves, gives us better knowledge on what works and what doesnt on different levels of ingenuity and budget