Joe Posted June 30, 2010 Report Share Posted June 30, 2010 Hi people, I just want to know which of the two is best, and the pros and cons of each. I'm looking at getting a new tank (selling my old one though) so I need to know which type of lighting to get so I can maybe change the plants of the lid to easily incorporate the lighting. Also I was thinking of an open-top tank, but then what about condensation and fish jumping out? So I was sort of thinking of having a well-fitting glass lid, but then is it safe to then have the lighting up against the glass? Plus do these sorts of lighting become quite hot and need some sort of cooling device thingy? I've only had experience with T8, and I'd like to go more high-tech and better quality. Please help me out! Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted June 30, 2010 Report Share Posted June 30, 2010 how much money do you want to spend at most? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted June 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2010 Hmm not sure. I was thinking Arcadia-type lighting... Well, something good quality and also something that looks good too - that's why I was thinking about Arcadia lighting, because it covers both of these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antwan Posted June 30, 2010 Report Share Posted June 30, 2010 I have a 150W metal halide for a shop fitting because it was cheap, and have that in a bit of wood screwed to my roof. It's about 45cm from the water level (open top) and the plants are doing very well, carpeting plants grow well too (tank is 50cm high). This light does get very hot (I hang some clothes by it sometimes to dry them when it's wet outside :lol: so they will need a lot of free room around them or a fan. I've never used T5's before, but this was an amazing upgrade from T8's that's for sure. Open top does cause a lot of evaporation, but that just makes you keep on top of water changes more. I have had a few fish jump out (tetra's and a rainbowfish) but if you have floating plants or lots of plants at the surface it will obviously help reduce the risk. You don't need to buy a professional (and expensive) lighthood to have it looking nice either, bit of glitter and some cool stickers and it can look very pretty :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted June 30, 2010 Report Share Posted June 30, 2010 My 75w MH does not provide as much light as 72W of T5 HO. Although when I see the ripples, its all worth it :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peet Posted June 30, 2010 Report Share Posted June 30, 2010 I havn't used T5, but I had 2x 150w MH over my 4.5ft tank and combined with CO2 the plants grew like they were on steroids. As phoenix44 says, the ripples make the cost of running all worth it. I used shop fittings off trademe and even used the 4000 K bulbs... was a little bit yellow but I off-set that by running a couple of daylight standard flouros. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted July 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 This light does get very hot (I hang some clothes by it sometimes to dry them when it's wet outside so they will need a lot of free room around them or a fan. Well that answers that! I don't really think mum would want extra lights hanging from the ceiling above a fish tank :lol: You don't need to buy a professional (and expensive) lighthood to have it looking nice either, bit of glitter and some cool stickers and it can look very pretty I hate stickers and glitter :lol: Just wondered, what types of T5 lighting are there? I've heard of T5 HO (high output) and T5 VHO (Very high output). Which is best and what are some examples of the VHO, because I only really know about the HO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 Forget about the VHO's. They are usually for marine reefs and commonly exceed $1000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted July 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 Righty ho. I was looking at the Arcadia Overtank Luminaire T5 Quad Lighting hoods, and I really like the look of them. When I get my new tank made, I'll probably opt for something around 90cm long, so the 90cm Quad would suit my needs. The website that I was looking at was an overseas one, and they were priced at around $600. It was in pounds so I converted it to NZ dollars by the way. Can you get them in NZ for this price? I know Hollywood Fish Farm stocks these lightinghoods, and I was browsing on their website, but they don't show the prices :-? . Also, what are the best T5 tubes? The ones so far that I really like are the Arcadia tubes and the Hagen Glo series. Open top does cause a lot of evaporation Would I need a dehumidifier if I did get metal hlide? My tank's in my room, and I don't really fancy water dripping on me while I'm asleep :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 Yeah the GLO ones are the best there are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breakaway Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 If you want to buy it from HFF, triple the price. Dehumidifier not necessary. Just air out the room every now and then and you'll be alright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted July 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 Where is the cheapest place in NZ to purchase these lightinghoods? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breakaway Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 There isn't, pretty much. I got lucky with my 39W Glo T5HO Fixtures. Scored em cheap on trademe. Retail price is about $300, each. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 well you missed out. the animates here any ways had some on 50% discount I think, and the tubes were 30% off retail. I was soooooo tempted. but what would i do with another 108W of HO? :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil_elmo Posted July 2, 2010 Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 good luck finding a light unit the Arcadia series 3 T5 unit looks great but doesnt perform that well for the price.....the current Arcadia OT2 unit looks freakin awesome but it will come with a very very high price tag the glo stuff works very well but the look of the unit isnt very sexy and if you want 4 T5's you will have to get 2 units Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted July 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 the Arcadia series 3 T5 unit looks great but doesnt perform that well for the price Why's that? I thought that Arcadia was practically the best there is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted July 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 I just wondered, are the Hagen Glo T5HO Lightinghoods better than Arcadia? Or is it vice-versa? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil_elmo Posted July 2, 2010 Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 i've used both before and i got better growth with the glo unit but the arcadia looked sooo much better the arcadia doesnt seem as bright, maybe cause of the reflector plus a 90cm unit is like $1000 vs the glo which is about $190 per unit i would love to try the new OT2 but its order only from overseas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted July 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 What about ADA Grand Solar 2? http://www.adana.com.my/products/lightingsystem.htm You'll have to scroll down the page and look for it. Are they any good? I really want the Arcadia, but you've tried them and said they're not as good as the Glo ones, but the Glo hoods are sooooo ugly! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil_elmo Posted July 2, 2010 Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 woah ADA!! never tried ADA since they are $$$ plus more $$ shipping one over also the grand solar 2 runs PC tubes.....i rather stick to T5's and MH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil_elmo Posted July 2, 2010 Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 Giesemann has some sexy lights too....their paint job on their lights are amazing but once again they cost some mega $$ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted July 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 also the grand solar 2 runs PC tubes What are PC tubes? I've only heard of T5, T6, T8 and T9 tubes. Are PC better than T5? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil_elmo Posted July 2, 2010 Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 What are PC tubes? I've only heard of T5, T6, T8 and T9 tubes. Are PC better than T5? PC= power compact, i've never used them before people use these on planted tanks and also saltwater tanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted July 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 Are they high-output like the T5? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breakaway Posted July 3, 2010 Report Share Posted July 3, 2010 Not really, but they are compact. Hence the name PC (Power Compact). They're great for places where space is a restriction. If you can fit T5HOs, do it. Also see ODNO -- overdriving normal output lamps - http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/plant ... -odno.html PS, don't burn down your house. 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.