Lighting Struggles

"muddyfox" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi,

I'm planning my first planted tank (well, fully planted tank - I've
always had some plants in previous tanks) and I'm really struggling to
work out how to supply the lighting I need. I'm going for a 2ft tank
and the only plant I'm absolutely hooked on growing is Riccia, because
I adore that grass like look. I've worked out that I can probably do
that with about 60W (tank water will be about 1 ft deep) although if
anyone thinks this is wildly out for Riccia please let me know. But
how to supply that 60 - I've looked at quite a few options but planted
aquariums seem to be quite specialist in the UK making it more
difficult to find the right parts and, I suspect, my vast inexperience
with this is really showing...

First I looked at getting a Fluval Duo Deep 600 because it has two
light tubes. But then I discovered that they're only 15 watts each. I
wondered if I can replace the tubes in these with something which,
although still at 15 watts will give me more bang for my buck -
brighter more effective plant lighting perhaps? Maybe it's even
possible to retrofit a double T5 kit (although this would bring each
lamp up to 24W - I think!)?

Then I looked at using a basic all-glass tank getting an over-tank
luminaire. But at 24" Arcadia only do 2 T8's at a total of 30W, or 2
(or 4) T5's which only have marine lamps in them. Are marine lamps any
good for plants? Can I buy different lamps and put them in? I don't
think they're the blue (actinic) but they have a much higher colour
temperature than the regular plant lamps I've seen.

Then I looked at trying to make my own hood with, say 3 T8's, but I
don't really have the skills for that. (In fact, when I mentioned it
to my husband, he laughed saying things like "DIY!!!....you!!!....ha ha
ha ha!!!!" Hmmmm. But it can't be that hard can it? Maybe I could
get a normal aquarium hood and do a bit of a redesign? I'm not bad
with electronics, just can't use a jigsaw for love nor money.

If anyone has any ideas I would really value some help. I've been
running round in circles with this for ages now.

Many thanks,

muddy


Something like this might do:

http://www.mops.ca/cgi-bin/SoftCart....b85+1141490285

No idea about a UK source though.

I'd rather go with 2*36 though to give better distribution and more options.
I didn't find any when I searched, but I thought Coralife made something
like it. You could always make your own from he

http://www.ahsupply.com/36-55w.htm

The 2*36 kit is down the page. But they're in the US, so shipping might be
expensive.

Hopefully some of the UK folks can give you better specifics.