Cube aquarium lighting

Hello, a few weeks ago I was given a Nano Cube with dysfunctional ballast. I removed the bulb, plastic shield, reflector, and ballast assuming that it was heating up in its current configuration. At this point, I’m having difficulty figuring out whether I should revamp the inside of the Nano Cube hood (drill holes, rearrange fans, new ballast) or build a DIY enclosure. Another issue I’m dealing with is locating efficient lighting. As one probably knows, the cubes use 24w linear 4 pin cf bulbs. Unfortunately, spectral output of compact fluorescent bulbs has not reached that of fluorescent tubes. The 6500k cf bulbs sold specifically for the hood work best mixed or for growing terrestrial plants. Other 24w cf bulbs I’ve located are PL 3000k-4100k(1800lumens), PL 7100k and 8000k (unknown lumens). Does any one have experience using these bulbs or similar? Would there be an appropriate DIY enclosure option for cube aquariums? I should add that the aquarium will be placed near a window which receives filtered sunlight throughout the day. The artificial lighting schedule will be adjusted if necessary.
This is my first planted aquarium. I currently have two 3 gallon jars housing a scud colony, ramshorn snails, common elodea, coontail, broadleaf and northern arrowhead, star and giant duckweed. I really enjoy the forum. Thanks for all the information.

Hi,

Well, if it was under warranty, it isn't any more.

If you think it's over-heating because of faulty design, you might want to contact the company to see if they've had similar problems. If it's just a matter of replacing the ballast, that's all I would do unless there was a unique reason for a DIY. (Is the existing an unbearable eyesore? Doesn't quite match the curtains? Takes up space in all the wrong directions?) I'm willing to bet if you asked your spouse about DIY projects, they'd have something else higher on the list.

My favorite planted tank is right in front of my south window. I don't use any lights on it at all. Planted tanks are not like fish-only tanks and the same rules don't apply. I have friends with very successful tanks who use dirt from the backyard as a substrate. I haven't gotten there yet, but I plan to when we move. Currently, my tanks all have washed (and washed, and washed again) pea gravel. The oddest thing about my tank is its growing season. It grows more in the winter than in the summer. My yard is full of deciduous trees, so the window lets in more light in the winter than in the summer.

I'd move my other planted tank in front of a window, too, if I could get away with it. But I am only allowed to be so much of a space hog.

Anyway, if it were me, I'd put the tank in the window. Let it get all the natural light it possibly can. Initially, I had algae, but that was so long ago I hardly remember it.

I also don't always have glass on the top of the aquarium. I frequently leave it open in the summer on warm days and nights. Anytime the heater isn't kicking on because it's warm enough, the tank goes topless.

Good Luck!

Once a planted tank, always a planted tank!

Enjoy!

Hi,

Well, if it was under warranty, it isn't any more.

If you think it's over-heating because of faulty design, you might want to contact the company to see if they've had similar problems. If it's just a matter of replacing the ballast, that's all I would do unless there was a unique reason for a DIY. (Is the existing an unbearable eyesore? Doesn't quite match the curtains? Takes up space in all the wrong directions?) I'm willing to bet if you asked your spouse about DIY projects, they'd have something else higher on the list.

My favorite planted tank is right in front of my south window. I don't use any lights on it at all. Planted tanks are not like fish-only tanks and the same rules don't apply. I have friends with very successful tanks who use dirt from the backyard as a substrate. I haven't gotten there yet, but I plan to when we move. Currently, my tanks all have washed (and washed, and washed again) pea gravel. The oddest thing about my tank is its growing season. It grows more in the winter than in the summer. My yard is full of deciduous trees, so the window lets in more light in the winter than in the summer.

I'd move my other planted tank in front of a window, too, if I could get away with it. But I am only allowed to be so much of a space hog.

Anyway, if it were me, I'd put the tank in the window. Let it get all the natural light it possibly can. Initially, I had algae, but that was so long ago I hardly remember it.

I also don't always have glass on the top of the aquarium. I frequently leave it open in the summer on warm days and nights. Anytime the heater isn't kicking on because it's warm enough, the tank goes topless.

Good Luck!

Once a planted tank, always a planted tank!

Enjoy!

Mander, I'm not worried about warranties attached with this unit. It was used and free. I was told the ballast was the second within a year. Common problems with these enclosures I’m guessing? I wouldn’t bother contacting the manufacturer. Actually, I was really only interested in the glass cube. Improving the existing hood or DIY enclosure, if possible, was just an option I had in mind. The aquarium would probably do just fine next to the window with out the fixture.

I'm using soil as part of my substrate. I really enjoy experimenting with the different types. I'll be using a half inch of clay soil, sand mix with an inch or so of purchased topsoil with fair amount of humic material. I really enjoy collecting some of my substrate from mesotrophic lakes.

I would recommend using soil in your aquariums, Mander. Just let your soil sit in a large bucket damp or submersed for a month. This helps stabilize some of the organic material.

I was told the ballast was the second within a year. Common problems with these enclosures I’m guessing?

I'll be using a half inch of clay soil, sand mix with an inch or so of purchased topsoil with fair amount of humic material. I really enjoy collecting some of my substrate from mesotrophic lakes.

I would recommend using soil in your aquariums, Mander. Just let your soil sit in a large bucket damp or submersed for a month. This helps stabilize some of the organic material.

If it's a common problem, that's why I would contact the manufacturer, for their benefit. They need to know they have a poor design. If I were a manufacturer, I would want to hear both the good and the bad so I could make the bad better!
If it's poor design, I would definitely do a DIY.

I'm glad to hear more good things about dirt substrates. I want to do it, I just don't want to have to do it twice in a short span of time. We may be moving soon. Tearing down a tank is a lot of work. It will have to wait.

Thanks for the good tips!

PS what type of filtration system are you going to use on your tanks?

Thanks!

Edited by mander, 07 July 2008 - 10:53 AM.

Lighting sounds fine. You don't say how large the tank is and, especially, how deep. There are apparently 24-gallon nano cubes out there. Not so "nano", if you ask me. Anyway, if you feel the lighting is too blue looking for your tastes, swap out a bulb for one with a lower color temperature.

FYI, color temperature doesn't mean much for growing plants. This was discussed a while ago - see this thread.

Hope this helps!

If it's a common problem, that's why I would contact the manufacturer, for their benefit. They need to know they have a poor design. If I were a manufacturer, I would want to hear both the good and the bad so I could make the bad better!
If it's poor design, I would definitely do a DIY.

I'm glad to hear more good things about dirt substrates. I want to do it, I just don't want to have to do it twice in a short span of time. We may be moving soon. Tearing down a tank is a lot of work. It will have to wait.

Thanks for the good tips!

PS what type of filtration system are you going to use on your tanks?

Thanks!

Mander, I'm sure JBJ knows their Nano Cube hoods are poorly arranged. As for filtration, Nano Cubes have a built-in three chamber system. Likely more filtration than is necessary for my application.

Lighting sounds fine. You don't say how large the tank is and, especially, how deep. There are apparently 24-gallon nano cubes out there. Not so "nano", if you ask me. Anyway, if you feel the lighting is too blue looking for your tastes, swap out a bulb for one with a lower color temperature.

FYI, color temperature doesn't mean much for growing plants. This was discussed a while ago - see this thread.

Hope this helps!

nativeplanter, I agree that Nano Cubes aren't very nano. I was just stating the brand name of aquarium. The dimensions of the aquarium are 16 x 17 x 17. It is twelve gallons. IMO, the lighting isn't fine. I certainly dont want to keep replacing ballasts. Modification or a DIY enclosure is in order if using the artificial lighting.

I understand color temperature has little to do with growing plants. I listed the only specifications available for the bulbs. Yes, the bulb which was installed is 10000k and much too blue. The 6500k is too green. I have no experience with 4100k, 7100k or 8000k 24W pc bulbs.

I'm not worried so much about visual aesthetics, the sunlight will illuminate future inhabitants just fine. I'm more concerned about using the best possible bulb for the aquatic plants. Fortunately choices are few. Unfortunately, there’s not much information given about the above bulbs.

Thanks for the help nativeplanter.

Edited by topminnow, 07 July 2008 - 03:55 PM.

I agree that the blowing ballast situation isn't "fine". I was meaning the bulbs for growing plants. Since they seem to green for you, if you do go the modification route, perhaps add one of the 4100K bulbs and see if it is a better mix. I wonder if your LFS would allow you to try out such a mix of bulbs if you brought the hood into the store and put it over a tank?

If it were me, whether to do a DIY or modification might depend on aesthetic needs. If I want the tank to look slick like it does now, I might do the modifications. If it doesn't matter, DIY would allow me to put in exactly what I wanted. Of course, you might be the kind of person who's skills can make it slick and DIY at the same time, but I'm usually not that kind of tinkerer.

I agree that the blowing ballast situation isn't "fine". I was meaning the bulbs for growing plants. Since they seem to green for you, if you do go the modification route, perhaps add one of the 4100K bulbs and see if it is a better mix. I wonder if your LFS would allow you to try out such a mix of bulbs if you brought the hood into the store and put it over a tank?

If it were me, whether to do a DIY or modification might depend on aesthetic needs. If I want the tank to look slick like it does now, I might do the modifications. If it doesn't matter, DIY would allow me to put in exactly what I wanted. Of course, you might be the kind of person who's skills can make it slick and DIY at the same time, but I'm usually not that kind of tinkerer.

Thank you for recommending the 4100Kelvin bulb. The CRI of PL 4100k is 82 and Lumens 1800. With the current information is it appropriate or even possible to guesstimate what the spectrum might look like?

Yes, I’m not much of a ‘tinkerer’ either. I was hoping to save the day by improving the existing hood, somehow. If all else fails, I think I’m capable of handling a DIY project. I wouldn’t know what kind of lighting or components to use though. There are a lot of options.

Edited by topminnow, 07 July 2008 - 08:44 PM.

Thank you for recommending the 4100Kelvin bulb. The CRI of PL 4100k is 82 and Lumens 1800. With the current information is it appropriate or even possible to guesstimate what the spectrum might look like?

I don't know enough about lightbulbs to even hazard a guess, and I think someone who does know would still have a lot of difficulty. This is because the intensity at different spectra can even each other out to then give what the human eye sees (which is what both temperature and CRI get at). With regular fluorescents, I often go with one warm white and one cool white, which should hopefully catch most of the spectra with decency. Seems to work well. If you use the 4100k in combination with the 6500k, that would be approximately the same idea.

Sometimes spectral information is available on companies websites. You might want to check that avenue.

I wouldn't fret too much about spectra, though. If you mix the bulbs, you will probably do just fine. (Of course, typical "your mileage may vary" disclaimer goes here...). But that's what I would do.

Thank you for explaining. It was just a question I had in mind. Many companys offer little information regarding bulb specifications, I'm trying to get the hang of comparing.

Sorry nativeplanter if my information is a bit confusing but, the current Nano Cube enclosure only has one bulb and ballast, starter and fans. This is why I’m having a hard time figuring what SINGLE bulb would benefit my situation. It would be nice to find a full spectrum bulb without obnoxious peaks in any one area. Would the 4100k still be a wise choice?

Ah. I didn't realize it only had one bulb.

I seem to need a minimum of two standard fluorescents for native plants, sometimes more. Not sure if a compact flurescent is 2x the output of standard? Never tried them due to the cost factor. I imagine that someone at your LFS can give you a great shpiel on a great yet pricey bulb that has the perfect spectrum for plants. If you are suspicious of such marketing (as I am) and want to do some research, here's a great planted tank forum that has a section on lighting: http://www.plantedta...orums/lighting/. They also have some great DIY projects on the site, don't know if any are specific to a Nano-cube as I haven't looked in a while.

If you do decide to go DIY, I'd make sure that it can take at least 2 bulbs. Since you need to buy a new ballast, you might even be able to wire another bulb into the current hood. To keep the hood cooler, you can wire it so that the ballast is actually outside the hood, attached to the back or even the wall behind the tank. Just use longer wires.

Sorry I'm not more help...

I dont trust most individuals working at pet stores. Especially my local fish store. I've looked through that website many times. Lots of great information but nothing pertaining to my dilema. You would think at least one person would post something related to customizing the Nano Cube hood. I'm not sure what a DIY enclosure for a cube would consist of. I was assuming that two 24w pc would be too much light for my situation (aquarium will be placed next to a window).

No need to be sorry, thanks for all your help! I'ts a shame I burnt you out this early though

Well... ok... just to avoid burn out...

How strong will the lighting from the window be? Direct? Indirect? Hours?

Regarding the planted tank forums, you could always ask a question and see if anyone has input regarding nano cube DIY. Someone just might.

Well... ok... just to avoid burn out...

I knew you had it in ya!

How strong will the lighting from the window be? Direct? Indirect? Hours?

Good question. The southeast corner of the room has two windows, one on the east wall and one on the south wall, probably a foot apart from one another. The south window seems to receive less direct sunlight in the morning and more indirect filtered light from trees throughout the afternoon and evening. The east window, on the other hand, receives strong direct sunlight from sunrise to early afternoon (and nice indirect light throughout late afternoon-evening thanks to the tall white house next door).

Regarding the planted tank forums, you could always ask a question and see if anyone has input regarding nano cube DIY. Someone just might.

I have strong opinions about posting on forums. I’m not used to it. I really enjoyed FINS and the OLD NANFA mailing list.
There’s a lot of nonsense out there. Its unfortunate how long it takes some individuals to find knowledgeable advice and people like this forum offers. If all else fails I might give your suggestion a go.

Sounds like you've got some good natural lighting if you place the tank right in that corner so it gets light from both windows. Have you looked at your current bulb when the tank is in that location? If not, try it out as it might look better then. If so, maybe step down to a lower k bulb. Then I'd just give it a whirl and see how the plants go between the natural light and the one bulb. Might be just fine.

Thank you nativeplanter, I might purchase a 4100k bulb and see how that looks. Hopefully it wont be too warm. A 10000k bulb alone might be too 'blue' but I'll give it a try also. The 24w 8000k and 8000k-7100k mix available here; http://riopump.net/L...der/PL_lts.html , is quite interesting though.

Does look interesting, but I'm suspicious that the color temperature would still be a bit too high for my tastes and look too blue. Of course, they don't seem to have any spectra information there. And I bet they're rather pricey. I'd wait to see how well the plants do with the window and your current bulb first.

Agreed. The bulb I removed is 10000k. If the 4100k doesn’t work out I located a 5000k which might look OK.