Sheepsnana Posted March 19, 2012 Report Share Posted March 19, 2012 Hi Everyone, I've been looking at getting some lights for my new 4ft tank. Pricing isn't cheap, but I've found a couple on TradeMe that might do the job. If I am limited to a single bulb, what's the best colour to use for growing plants? It's a single T5 Slimline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karina Posted March 19, 2012 Report Share Posted March 19, 2012 What's the width and depth of your tank? This will help to determine lighting needs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted March 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 Sorry, its 1220 long x 500 wide x 500 high Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 You're going to want more than a single tube for growing plants, you might get really low light plants to survive but they won't grow well. It doesn't really matter what tube you use. Looks like the Slimline T5s you said you're looking at are 28 watts for the 1200mm long ones. I'm guessing that's the length you have? You'll probably want 3-4 more to get into a low-moderate amount of light. I just had a look, the biggest slimline T5 on trademe at the moment looks like a single one, 15 watts. You'd want like 7-8 total of those tiny ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted March 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 I just had a look, the biggest slimline T5 on trademe at the moment looks like a single one, 15 watts. You'd want like 7-8 total of those tiny ones. Damn. one of the guys from our club has just offered me some T8 Flouro's, so hopefully they will do a much better job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 I've just done some research and finished my tank's light setup and it look good. But my tank is for Cichlids. So I use one marine blue and one life glo T5. I think you still will need two bulb unit on your 4 ft... Power glo 54w 18000K T5 bulb is good for the plant. You can get two of them or one life glo (6700K) and one power glo. Hagen Glo Twin 54w T5 Ballast Light is a good one to go. Trademe price is around $90 ~ $130. You can get bulbs from any pet shop. But I found petstop is the cheapest. Power glo bulb $58. Life glo bulb $38. Make sure you get good refelector to get the best effect from the light. I think there is someone from CHCH sell refelector for Hagen Glo Twin 54w T5 Ballast Light for $48. BTW, The light bulb is 115cm long. I hope these helps... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted March 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony law Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 or make your own ligths ..ive just made a ligthing hood for $95 thats running three five foot bulbs and two four foot bulbs t8s.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
showtime Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 or make your own ligths ..ive just made a ligthing hood for $95 thats running three five foot bulbs and two four foot bulbs t8s.. Can you take a snap of your new lighting hood? I'm thinking about doing the same and keen on ideas for my 4ft tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony law Posted March 27, 2012 Report Share Posted March 27, 2012 yer ive one of mark one.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted March 27, 2012 Report Share Posted March 27, 2012 Looks pretty similar to mine. Get a roll of mylar reflective film or similar and some spray adhesive, glue the film to the hood and it makes a reasonable reflector. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
showtime Posted March 27, 2012 Report Share Posted March 27, 2012 Good one, thanks. 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.