lighting for a 5 feet planted tank...

[ryan]

was reading a post the other day when someone mentioned somrthing about customised PL lighting for a 5 feet tank... and got it done at Nature aquarium... could someone tell me more about it? as i am getting a 5 feet tank in a week or so and would like to use this lighting set-up...


ThAnks a million guys,,,[]

[David]

hi ryan

if it is going to be a planted tank for a 5footer, seriously consider either MV or MH.......coz you will need the wattage that they are able to push out.

[Simon]

ya, i agree wif david, even though I using FL for my 6ft.. its cheaper these days to get MH/MV.. do consider

[koon]

Yah...that's me.
Normal 5 feet light hood will come with 4 PL light or 4 feet FL whereby the edge will be no light.

There are a few brands out there whereby you can fit in 6 PL lights or you can ask Nature to modified for you.

Talk to Chan regarding the lights.

rgds

[ryan]

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On 1/12/2002 5:26:17 PM

Yah...that's me.
Normal 5 feet light hood will come with 4 PL light or 4 feet FL whereby the edge will be no light.

There are a few brands out there whereby you can fit in 6 PL lights or you can ask Nature to modified for you.

Talk to Chan regarding the lights.

rgds
----------------

oh so u fitted 6 PL lights in your 5 foot tank hood? how much did it cost u? mr chan custom made it for u? how much did your tank+cabinet+hood and lights cost you??? thanks!!!

[koon]

It's the Ocean free 5 feet light hood which comes with 4 PL light only.
Actually I asked Chan to upgrade the light hood for me by adding another 2 PL lights. But the e-ballast can no longer be kept inside the light hood, it need to be wired out and kept somewhere behind your aquarium.

Overall the charges of upgrading + the original 5 feet Ocean Free light hood is still more than when you buy a 5 feet light hood fitted with 6 PL lights.
I think brand like Macros have such model.

My advice is always buy the one with light stand unless you want to make a stand yourself. The length of the light hood and the stand must fit nicely onto the edge of your tank. And fix in e-ballast. 6 PL light is going to be very HOT !!
And for 5 feet tank, u need two 5 feet light hood fitted with 12 PL light !!

I got a total 14 PL lights (with e-ballast) + 1 AC fan.

Anyway, talk to Chan.

rgds
(if I have a choice, I will use the MH instead cos' I'm into high light plants like riccia, hairgrass and red stem plant)

[David]

hi koon

what would be the total cost of the 5ft PL tube set including the modification?...the lastest oceanfree MH light set is about 400+ including stand and a cooling fan.

[ryan]

oh gosh... i'm into that kind of plants too... so many lights huh? my dad doesn't want MH lah... he wants hood... so i guess i have to use PL... how much did u pay for ur tank with cabinet and light hoods?

[koon]

David,

For a 5 feet come with 4 PLs + 2 e-ballast, around $200 (can't remember)
Add another 2 PLs + wiring + one e-ballast + modification charge, around $70.

So for two 5 feet light hood with 12 PLs + 6 e-ballast, overall cost is around $540.

That's why I say, if I have a choice, I will go for MH.
Previously, it is because I do not want to drill a hole in the ceiling or wall.
But now actually, the MH comes with a beautiful tall stand. I've seen one at Capricorn (how much does that cost and what brand..do u know ?)

rgds
Koon

[koon]

Ryan,

My tank + white cabinet is the Jebo brand type with rounded corner tampered glass bought at H2O. 5 feet x 2 feet x 2.5 feet tall.
It comes with a overflow trickle filter + protein skimmer. Actually it is a marine tank.

Cost around $2.5 K.

rgds