Dilemma with lighting

[hammy]

Hi people,

I'm facing a dilemma with regards to the lighting system for the 6'X2'X2' (520 Litres) tank that I have. I intend to change the current lighting system , that is, 6X25W FL (Arcardia), as I know that it is WAY below the recommended level. Oh yes, I intend to have glosso as my main theme...or HC...

Option 1: Matrix 6 feet
There will be 6X55W, totaling to 330W. But I will have to wait for a month or more as there is a shortage of stock islandwide.

Option 2: 2 sets of Matrix 3 feet
Per set, there will be 4X36W and with the two sets, it will be 288W. Stock available for this.

Option 3: Metal Halide (Adec)
There will be 3x150W HQI in the set. This will total to an incredible 450W. Stock available for this.

My concern is feasibility for the success of glosso/HC, therefore, pricing will not affect my decision. But availability is a considering factor, although it is not THAT important.

By the way, for all three options mentioned, the light temperature is 10,000K. Any comments on this as well?

[Simon]

[quote:c77ac56005="hammy"]Hi people,

I'm facing a dilemma with regards to the lighting system for the 6'X2'X2' (520 Litres) tank that I have. I intend to change the current lighting system , that is, 6X25W FL (Arcardia), as I know that it is WAY below the recommended level. Oh yes, I intend to have glosso as my main theme...or HC...

Option 1: Matrix 6 feet
There will be 6X55W, totaling to 330W. But I will have to wait for a month or more as there is a shortage of stock islandwide.

Option 2: 2 sets of Matrix 3 feet
Per set, there will be 4X36W and with the two sets, it will be 288W. Stock available for this.

Option 3: Metal Halide (Adec)
There will be 3x150W HQI in the set. This will total to an incredible 450W. Stock available for this.

My concern is feasibility for the success of glosso/HC, therefore, pricing will not affect my decision. But availability is a considering factor, although it is not THAT important.

By the way, for all three options mentioned, the light temperature is 10,000K. Any comments on this as well?[/quote:c77ac56005]

I think your best bet is on MH, reason to that is the light penetration for your desired foregrd, which is HC/glosso.. BUT, you have to take in consideration of the temperature emitted from the lights :P unless you going to have a chiller, HC wouldn't be too easy. Ok, lets say, u reduce to 2x150MH, the temperature will still rover between 28-30 depending on situation and position of the tank. But seriously, if you looking for some serious ####, MH is the way to go.. Option 2 is defintely out, unless you intend to have a very low light setup, Option 1, I don't really know, since I have never had experiences with 55watts PL... My previous setup was 8x30watts for a all echinodorus 6ft tank, and then coupled with 2NOS of 2x36watts on both sides to provide additional lights. My present setup is just 2x150watts, which is sufficient to grow most of the plants (stemmed/rosette)

[joestoys]

[quote:c7e2261543="hammy"]
By the way, for all three options mentioned, the light temperature is 10,000K. Any comments on this as well?[/quote:c7e2261543]

10,000K, isn't it more for the marine tank?

planted at 6000-6500K range

[geoffrey]

Hammy,

I would go the MH way too albeit just 2 X 150W (or 3 X 70W). With deep tanks, an over-hanging MH also make maintenance a breeze without having the lightings out in your way.

Another plus is you get more light per watt, thus better efficiency and long-term savings.

[hammy]

Thanks for the advise guys.

Simon
Yes, I do have a chiller for the tank, so I guess heat shouldn't be an issue, sorry to have left that out. :P But then, heater produced by these equipment might be a little 'too hot to handle' (pardon the pun) as the folks back home are frowning upon the somewhat heat producing chiller. But whatever....

As for the MH, the one I'll be getting (that's IF I'm getting it) has a kelvin of 10,000k. Unless there is a bulb in the market with 6,500K for MH, I don't think 10,000K is a good range for tropical? What's your take on this?

Joestoy
Yes, I agree. But the rating on the MH available for aquarium use in the market is 10,000K, well, at least for the one I'm looking at... So I guess I don't have much of a choice, unless...there are bulbs with 6,500K that is compatible with the light set.

[joe]

Hi Selwyn,

I'm pretty sure can find 6500k bulbs to fit your. Where are you getting the MH lights from?

[hammy]

[quote:60049e1604="geoffrey"]Hammy,

I would go the MH way too albeit just 2 X 150W (or 3 X 70W). With deep tanks, an over-hanging MH also make maintenance a breeze without having the lightings out in your way.

Another plus is you get more light per watt, thus better efficiency and long-term savings.[/quote:60049e1604]

Thanks for the advise Geoffrey. An over-hanging MH is idea but I was hoping for a 'non-permanent' solution, so to speak.

My main concern is the kelvin rating on the one that I'm looking at. Its by Adec. Or is there any other brands that are available in s'pore?

[bclee]

There are 6500K MH bulbs available. Usually 10000K bulbs are more expensive compared to 6500K ones.

BC

[joestoys]

check out this singapore site/ company-
tons of MH lighting stuff

http://www.victronsingapore.com/index.htm

you can call them to ask about the 6500k blubs
Victron Industrial Pte Ltd
705, Sims Drive, Shun Li Industrial Complex
#06-07, Singapore 387384
Tel: +65-67455096 (5 Lines)

hope the lobang helps.

[crandf]

Another plus is you get more light per watt, thus better efficiency and long-term savings

I always thought fluorescent bulbs produce less heat per watt than MH, so MH should be less efficient, right?

[ahmiao]

[quote:4c21d6341f="joestoys"]check out this singapore site/ company-
tons of MH lighting stuff

http://www.victronsingapore.com/index.htm

you can call them to ask about the 6500k blubs
Victron Industrial Pte Ltd
705, Sims Drive, Shun Li Industrial Complex
#06-07, Singapore 387384
Tel: +65-67455096 (5 Lines)

hope the lobang helps.[/quote:4c21d6341f]

hi!which 150W do u recommend?the model number from http://www.viclite.com/promotion.htm ??

[hammy]

Thanks for the over-whelming response guys.

Yes Joestoys, they do have lamps that go for 6,500K at 150W (just called them). But I need a fixture to be mounted on the tank as well. Ok, I must admit I'm not good with my hands and that's why I intend to just buy it off the shelf. But the 'problem' is that the bulb that comes with the set is of 10,000K.

Also, the option of making it a permanent fixture is out of the question (drilling at the ceiling). Unless...I replace the bulb of the original set with the 150W 6,500K since the wattage for the original is rated 150W as well. Any comments on this?

Joe
I'll be getting it from Mermaid at AMK Ave 10 Blk 443.

[ahmiao]

[quote:e4c2df6eb9="hammy"]Thanks for the over-whelming response guys.

Yes Joestoys, they do have lamps that go for 6,500K at 150W (just called them). But I need a fixture to be mounted on the tank as well. Ok, I must admit I'm not good with my hands and that's why I intend to just buy it off the shelf. But the 'problem' is that the bulb that comes with the set is of 10,000K.

Also, the option of making it a permanent fixture is out of the question (drilling at the ceiling). Unless...I replace the bulb of the original set with the 150W 6,500K since the wattage for the original is rated 150W as well. Any comments on this?

Joe
I'll be getting it from Mermaid at AMK Ave 10 Blk 443.[/quote:e4c2df6eb9]

[ahmiao]

[quote:88c22e8bbc="hammy"]Thanks for the over-whelming response guys.

Yes Joestoys, they do have lamps that go for 6,500K at 150W (just called them). But I need a fixture to be mounted on the tank as well. Ok, I must admit I'm not good with my hands and that's why I intend to just buy it off the shelf. But the 'problem' is that the bulb that comes with the set is of 10,000K.

Also, the option of making it a permanent fixture is out of the question (drilling at the ceiling). Unless...I replace the bulb of the original set with the 150W 6,500K since the wattage for the original is rated 150W as well. Any comments on this?

Joe
I'll be getting it from Mermaid at AMK Ave 10 Blk 443.[/quote:88c22e8bbc]

can share with me the price?

[geoffrey]

[quote:00a2b23f18="crandf"]

Another plus is you get more light per watt, thus better efficiency and long-term savings

I always thought fluorescent bulbs produce less heat per watt than MH, so MH should be less efficient, right?[/quote:00a2b23f18]

I meant more light per watt. That is, for a 70W MH you may need more than 2 x 36W PL to give the equivalent in brightness for a deeper tank.

[neon]

Bro,

To share some of the money saving tips on MH 150w bulb. How much would the 6500K cost ? Someone mentioned 10000k is more expensive ? Not true. Go for the Osram 11000K UVS white day light (UVS stand for UV stop, no UV filter glass require). Go to Kelantan Road one lighting shop by the name of "...Eng ... " on the right hand most . $30 for one. Yap ! $30 for one. I even found one shop selling for $25 in Chinese Garden area.

Chiller definite require to cool the whole tank. My hanging 5 ft aluminium MH casing has 5 glass plates to fit 5 different light. Originally came with 2 MH, 3 CPL blue for marine. I modified it by shifting them around and added 1 more MH with e-ballast bought from the shop next to "...eng.." less than $70. Left the e-ballast inside my cabinet and it is not as hot as the original 2 (electromagnetic or normal ballast).

[anzai]

http://www.eaquanature.com/store/pro...roducts_id=630

maybe u wanna take a look at this?
there was an offer the last time round ...
much much cheaper ...
about $700++++++ ... maybe u wanna badger the seller to sell u at cheaper price ... im sure u can find cheaper lobang somewhere ... =)

this option is for those who dont wanna drill holes into their ceiling for their metal halide ...

[joestoys]

above set is complete set at $985 on their website
3 x 150 watts double ended holder
- 2 x 27 watts PL holder with Actinic Blue PL tube
(mention by anzai)


do this look familiar like one of the MH parts above at SGD$80.00
http://www.victronsingapore.com/promotion_2.htm

maybe you can get friend to help you DIY, might cost less than $500.
my 2 cents

[subxero]

[quote:b8757c1284="neon"]Bro,

To share some of the money saving tips on MH 150w bulb. How much would the 6500K cost ? Someone mentioned 10000k is more expensive ? Not true. Go for the Osram 11000K UVS white day light (UVS stand for UV stop, no UV filter glass require). Go to Kelantan Road one lighting shop by the name of "...Eng ... " on the right hand most . $30 for one. Yap ! $30 for one. I even found one shop selling for $25 in Chinese Garden area.
[/quote:b8757c1284]

neon, the lighting shop is just opp. chinese garden mrt stn?

[neon]

[quote:888bf533f8="subxero"][quote:888bf533f8="neon"]Bro,

To share some of the money saving tips on MH 150w bulb. How much would the 6500K cost ? Someone mentioned 10000k is more expensive ? Not true. Go for the Osram 11000K UVS white day light (UVS stand for UV stop, no UV filter glass require). Go to Kelantan Road one lighting shop by the name of "...Eng ... " on the right hand most . $30 for one. Yap ! $30 for one. I even found one shop selling for $25 in Chinese Garden area.
[/quote:888bf533f8]

neon, the lighting shop is just opp. chinese garden mrt stn? [/quote:888bf533f8]
yes.