MH lights and Tank depth ?

[hsiehqf]

Hi all

Nice to be back in the forum. Have not been to forum for a while.
Have couple of questions to ask:
1. What is the best tank depth that most of you used - 2 ft or 2.5ft?
Personally, planning for a 5ftX2ftX2.5ft height as I wanted to have
more room for plants to grow.

2. MH light or PL lights. Planning for MH lights. Is it right decision? Do I
buy 150 watts per MH? Do I need to buy 2 MH?

3. Where is the store along balestier to get the MH similar to Gan's?

3. With a 2.5ft depth tank, will I have problem doing the trimming of
plants and cleaning of tank.

thanks for all your help

[Simon]

welcome back :P

1. What is the best tank depth that most of you used - 2 ft or 2.5ft?
Personally, planning for a 5ftX2ftX2.5ft height as I wanted to have
more room for plants to grow.
depends on you preferences, some members like the 2.5ft depth, lesser the maintenance? or you can take it as for a 2ft depth, after adding the base fert. and gravel, it wouldnt be 2ft deep

2. MH light or PL lights. Planning for MH lights. Is it right decision? Do I
buy 150 watts per MH? Do I need to buy 2 MH?
you can either get the 150watts or the 70watts, again it depends on your setup... as long you the lights give u the coverage you require. example, MH smack in the middle, a MH should give u around 3ft +/- coverage.. leaving 1ft at the side.. u can use that 1ft on the each side for decoration? do up some sloping effect, finishing at the centre? but again your preference. or you can plant low light plants at the side, luminating with PL?

3. Where is the store along balestier to get the MH similar to Gan's?
you have to walk around to compare prices, another place is kelatan lane.. thats where I got mine

3. With a 2.5ft depth tank, will I have problem doing the trimming of
plants and cleaning of tank.
you can always drain away the water before you do any trimmings?

[hsiehqf]

Thanks Simon.
I am just worry that a short person like me are not able to reach the bottom to clear some of the plant ( like at inside corner of tank).

Maybe next 2 months, I might have this tank setup.

thanks again.

[Simon]

[quote:e0176d3528="hsiehqf"]Thanks Simon.
I am just worry that a short person like me are not able to reach the bottom to clear some of the plant ( like at inside corner of tank).

Maybe next 2 months, I might have this tank setup.

thanks again.[/quote:e0176d3528]

kekeke, try a stool or ladder to aid you... I setup my 6ft with a ladder

[hsiehqf]

Hi all

I just went to Nature Aquarium and check that the MH is about <S$200. Other light shop along the Balestier road is rangin from 120 to 300 dollar.

Not sure why the difference in the price.
How about getting a MH in Malaysia. Is it cheaper?

[Simon]

[quote:1b8aea981f="hsiehqf"]Hi all

I just went to Nature Aquarium and check that the MH is about <S$200. Other light shop along the Balestier road is rangin from 120 to 300 dollar.

Not sure why the difference in the price.
How about getting a MH in Malaysia. Is it cheaper?[/quote:1b8aea981f]

try to get it modified with a pulley system to ease your maintenance...

[hsiehqf]

Good morning Simon

What do you mean with the pulley system?

[Plantbrain]

MH';s are good for open top tanks. PC's and T-5's are finer also.
we used NO and a PC lights at 2w/gal and grew about anything we wanted at 2ft depth.

I will say 2.5 is about the limit for many folks with long arms like myself, but an open top will increase access, if you keep discus, they are not the biggest jumpers, so that would be a good idea.

My limit is 3ft and I have to use tongs and tweezers and it's still a PITA.
Beyond this you need a mask.

I'd suggest the 150w MH's. For a 5ft 2 x 2 I'd get no less than that and maybe 3 x 150w. Or 2.5 w PC lighting with a good reflector.

I think the PC lights will be cheaper for you.

Main thing is do you want an open top or not.

If trimming bothers you, try attaching plants to wood for taller designs that need less trimming.

Also, dwarf hair grass is exceptionally good since it only gets about 3-4 inches tall.

Look at many of Amano's larger tanks, they have lots of wood or low growing plants with Rock etc.
Crypts are also very nice to use since they seldom get more than 18".


Regards,
Tom Barr

[Nicky]

[quote:351e67e56a="Plantbrain"]MH';s are good for open top tanks. PC's and T-5's are finer also.
[/quote:351e67e56a]

Seemed like it was implied that PC (same as PL I supposed) and T5 lights will not allow for open top tank. I was thinking of hanging PL or T5 lights (like the way MH is hung) in my future setup. What are the pitfalls in this type of setup?

[quote:351e67e56a="Plantbrain"]Or 2.5 w PC lighting with a good reflector.[/quote:351e67e56a]

Tom, what is 2.5 w? 2.5 watt?

[Plantbrain]

All my tanks are open tops, they also have PC lighting.

They sell the feet to lift up the hoods above the water and I greatly prefer this for many reasons:

Cooler
Easier to twork on the tank
Easier to see the plants from above/lighting etc
Cleaner look
Extra viewing
Less motivation required to do maintenace, no hood removal

Some light spillage will occur.

See the site here, I make my own PC raised open top designs.
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/...mp;uid=1473668

One uses glass feet, the other uses the same wood.
I personally like the even spread of lighting vs a MH.


Regards,
Tom Barr