Lighting query

[mandz]

hi guys,
got a question for u. hope u can help. i'm currently using 4ft double tube lights that are sold at LFS. both lights are using 3ft 30watts light tubes. which makes up to 120watts for my 4ft planted tank. i understand tat this is not quite enough for my setup. the question is, can i change the bulbs to a 36 watts one? however, i think most, if not all, 3ft light tubes are only 30watts max.
wat kinda lights/brand are you guys using when u say u are using 4 x 36w FL lights?

[Goondoo]

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On 1/30/2003 11:54:05 AM

hi guys,
got a question for u. hope u can help. i'm currently using 4ft double tube lights that are sold at LFS. both lights are using 3ft 30watts light tubes. which makes up to 120watts for my 4ft planted tank. i understand tat this is not quite enough for my setup. the question is, can i change the bulbs to a 36 watts one? however, i think most, if not all, 3ft light tubes are only 30watts max.
wat kinda lights/brand are you guys using when u say u are using 4 x 36w FL lights?
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Hi bro,
There are relatively a huge range of PL and FL lights on sale in the market for 4' tank. I actually got 2 pcs of 2x40w(slightly pinkish, will change to Daylight 36W tube after it dies) from a local LFS along Yishun. As they actually quote me a very special price, it is not nice for me to reveal it to the public. However, I did saw some 2x40w FLs as good if not better, selling at Teo's farm (refer to LFS list for address) last weekend I was there, going for $60-65 (cannot remember the price and not many left). NA also sells good PL lights as I would have gotten from them if not for the 2nd handed PL posted recently by bro marina. Upon all price calculation, you might want to consider MH lights. Price is not much difference in longer run and it is suppose to be better for plants. The only concern you might have is it might require ceiling hanging...

[Simon]

mandz, we were referring to PL which comes in 36watts, 3ft FL r 30watts.. if u intend to change from FL to PL, I suggest u consider using 55watts PL, u need to change firstly the ballast.. if u hate DIY, then go to Chan.. he does modification of lights

[juggler]

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On 1/30/2003 11:54:05 AM

hi guys,
got a question for u. hope u can help. i'm currently using 4ft double tube lights that are sold at LFS. both lights are using 3ft 30watts light tubes. which makes up to 120watts for my 4ft planted tank. i understand tat this is not quite enough for my setup. the question is, can i change the bulbs to a 36 watts one? however, i think most, if not all, 3ft light tubes are only 30watts max.
wat kinda lights/brand are you guys using when u say u are using 4 x 36w FL lights?
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Do you think there's space in there to fit a 4ft FL light?
If there is, then check the ballast rating currently in the set. If it is 30W, I think that's not suitable for your new 4ft lights (usually rated at 36W). So you need to upgrade the ballast to 36W/40W types.

You might want to take the opportunity to change to eBallast which is lighter, more efficient and not so hot. And then the circuitry is simpler as the starters would be redundant. I think this should lengthen the life of your tubes. They have those Elibiru (?) 2x36W types which can support two tubes. Can get from Nature Aquarium as Simon mentioned above.

All this depends on whether there's space in your light set.

Personally, I don't think you need to convert to PL lights (assuming 4x36W PL) as the light output will still be the same as 4x36W FL. The 4ft FL lights can give you more even coverage in the tank. And cheap too. I have seen Philips Daylight 865 tubes at about $3 each at NTUC. If you want, there's even a brighter version in the Hitachi EBT range. Check with your lighting shop.

I will be moving this thread to the Equipment section soon.