Hi guys, finally decided I needed to upgrade my lighting for my 29gal tank(30" wide by 18" high by 12" deep)...right now I only have 30watts on it!!!
I am deciding on either the Coralife Freshwater Aqualight or the Current Satellite power compacts.
I was just wondering if I should get:
A) 30" light fixture or the 24" fixture.
and
B) 1x 65w or 2 x 65w configuration.
My tank is an acrylic tank with a small top opening unlike a regular glass tank(opening is about 23 inches long x 5 inch wide). So I am leaning more toward 30" fixture as a safety measure with less chance of the fixture falling into the tank. Is the single 65w enough for my tank?
Lighting help for my 29gal
Started by
Guest_bearskookums_*
, Sep 11 2008 02:41 AM
14 replies to this topic
#2
Guest_nativeplanter_*
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Posted 11 September 2008 - 08:18 AM
Depends. Do you have plants in it? What kind?
#3
Guest_bearskookums_*
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Posted 11 September 2008 - 01:12 PM
I haven't really planted the tank heavily before...mostly java moss...now I do have some mondo grass and banana plants in there....Depends. Do you have plants in it? What kind?
Would the 2 x 65watts be overkill? Other plants I plan on getting mostly are water sprite and brazilian micro swords.....
#4
Guest_dafrimpster_*
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Posted 11 September 2008 - 03:35 PM
I would think 130w on a 29g would give you algae problems unless you were injecting CO2 and dosing ferts. That's approx 4watts per gallon. The plants you want would grow well with a single 65w and you would have less algae issues.
#5
Guest_nativeplanter_*
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Posted 11 September 2008 - 03:41 PM
Banana plants require strong lighting, and if growing well will reach the surface and shade everything below them. But a lot of people like this look. You can also remove a few pads to let light in to the bottom, but it will still be pretty low light. Java moss will likely be fine under there.
Mondo grass isn't really an aquatic. I have never kept it, but have heard reports that it dies after a while. Unfortunately, there are a lot of terrestrial plants (that would be well suited to terraria) that are sold underwater as aquatics at the pet store.
Regarding length: since you tank is 30 inches long, I would get 30 inch fixtures. Anything shorter will look funny and not give even growth.
One 65 watt bulb would give moderate lighting. Two would be pretty high, but might be nice if you do let that banana plant act like it is supposed to (as a water lilly), so some light can get underneath. I suppose you could get a fixture that holds two and only put in one bulb if two is too strong. Without a whole lot of plants, I would be worried that 2 bulbs would promote a lot of algae.
Mondo grass isn't really an aquatic. I have never kept it, but have heard reports that it dies after a while. Unfortunately, there are a lot of terrestrial plants (that would be well suited to terraria) that are sold underwater as aquatics at the pet store.
Regarding length: since you tank is 30 inches long, I would get 30 inch fixtures. Anything shorter will look funny and not give even growth.
One 65 watt bulb would give moderate lighting. Two would be pretty high, but might be nice if you do let that banana plant act like it is supposed to (as a water lilly), so some light can get underneath. I suppose you could get a fixture that holds two and only put in one bulb if two is too strong. Without a whole lot of plants, I would be worried that 2 bulbs would promote a lot of algae.
#6
Guest_bearskookums_*
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Posted 11 September 2008 - 03:49 PM
Yes the alqae was one of my concerns too...I think I am gonna just go ahead and get the single strip. It would be a great upgrade considering the lighting I have on it now lol.
Yes I was a lil upset after I got home(should have done some research) after getting the Mondo Grass! Got it from Petsmart and I should have known considering that they sell those bamboos underwater!
I am still deciding whether I should go with Coralife or Satellite fixture. The Coralife has that Freshwater series with 6700 lamps and the Satellites only come with a 50/50 so I would have to shelf out more money for a bulb swap. I hate those blue hues! One advantage of Satellite is that it has a fan for single strip and Coralife doesn't. Do you guys see any problem with heat on the coralife light?
I dont really care for the moon light on the Current Satellite lamps since I can just use any LED lights on top of the tank nowadays...
Yes I was a lil upset after I got home(should have done some research) after getting the Mondo Grass! Got it from Petsmart and I should have known considering that they sell those bamboos underwater!
I am still deciding whether I should go with Coralife or Satellite fixture. The Coralife has that Freshwater series with 6700 lamps and the Satellites only come with a 50/50 so I would have to shelf out more money for a bulb swap. I hate those blue hues! One advantage of Satellite is that it has a fan for single strip and Coralife doesn't. Do you guys see any problem with heat on the coralife light?
I dont really care for the moon light on the Current Satellite lamps since I can just use any LED lights on top of the tank nowadays...
#7
Guest_pmk00001_*
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Posted 11 September 2008 - 03:57 PM
Yes the alqae was one of my concerns too...I think I am gonna just go ahead and get the single strip. It would be a great upgrade considering the lighting I have on it now lol.
Yes I was a lil upset after I got home(should have done some research) after getting the Mondo Grass! Got it from Petsmart and I should have known considering that they sell those bamboos underwater!
I am still deciding whether I should go with Coralife or Satellite fixture. The Coralife has that Freshwater series with 6700 lamps and the Satellites only come with a 50/50 so I would have to shelf out more money for a bulb swap. I hate those blue hues! One advantage of Satellite is that it has a fan for single strip and Coralife doesn't. Do you guys see any problem with heat on the coralife light?
I dont really care for the moon light on the Current Satellite lamps since I can just use any LED lights on top of the tank nowadays...
The Satellite is kind of a pain as there's seperate cords for the fan and moonlights, as well as the main cord. I got enough cords as it if
I'd go with the coralife (I have both).
#8
Guest_drewish_*
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Posted 11 September 2008 - 04:02 PM
I have a coralife on the same size tank. It works well. Well, when I keep up with the plants as I've let it grow out of control. I did get some hair algae but my flagfish nibbled most of that away. You may get algae in the beginning but once your plants take off it should back off. I ordered 4 of the 6700 bulbs off of ebay because I couldn't find any local. Turned out to be a lot cheaper.
#9
Guest_bearskookums_*
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Posted 11 September 2008 - 04:13 PM
Cool I like the housing on the Coralife more than the satellite ones. I think I am gonna just get future bulbs online too, saw them at petsmart or petco for like $40 each!!!!
I was just wondering how does the clear mounting legs on the coralife work? Are they sturdy? Would sitting the light an inch above the tank get too hot on the top acrylic?
I was just wondering how does the clear mounting legs on the coralife work? Are they sturdy? Would sitting the light an inch above the tank get too hot on the top acrylic?
#10
Guest_nativeplanter_*
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Posted 11 September 2008 - 04:42 PM
I was just wondering how does the clear mounting legs on the coralife work? Are they sturdy? Would sitting the light an inch above the tank get too hot on the top acrylic?
I know someone who had the marine version of that light, with the legs. It came crashing down more than once, if I remember correctly.
#11
Guest_drewish_*
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Posted 11 September 2008 - 04:47 PM
I can't remember if I kept the legs on or not. I didn't have problems with them when they were on, but they weren't that stable. I was afraid of it falling down.
Oh! I took them off. The span of the enclosure allows it to sit on the tank's rim so it doesn't rest on the glass top.
The enclosure has an acrylic piece shielding the bulbs and it doesn't melt so I don't think you'll have a problem.
Oh! I took them off. The span of the enclosure allows it to sit on the tank's rim so it doesn't rest on the glass top.
The enclosure has an acrylic piece shielding the bulbs and it doesn't melt so I don't think you'll have a problem.
#12
Guest_bearskookums_*
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Posted 11 September 2008 - 04:51 PM
Ok thanks for the heads up guys. I think I will just figure something out....maybe get some silicone or rubber pieces and sit it above the tank an inch or so....as my acrylic tank has a small long rectangular opening...so theres plenty of acrylic for the fixture to sit on...
#13
Guest_pmk00001_*
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Posted 11 September 2008 - 05:18 PM
I've got the non-adjustable black mounting legs, haven't had a problem with them, I've had them up for long time.
I don't have a basement or anyplace cool to keep by aquariums, and I'm not a big fan of air conditioning, so I try to keep my lights off the top of my tanks.
I don't have a basement or anyplace cool to keep by aquariums, and I'm not a big fan of air conditioning, so I try to keep my lights off the top of my tanks.
#14
Guest_bearskookums_*
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Posted 11 September 2008 - 05:41 PM
I've got the non-adjustable black mounting legs, haven't had a problem with them, I've had them up for long time.
I don't have a basement or anyplace cool to keep by aquariums, and I'm not a big fan of air conditioning, so I try to keep my lights off the top of my tanks.
Did you use the black mounting stands on the Coralifre Aqualights? I know they have one clear set and a black set.
#15
Guest_pmk00001_*
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Posted 15 September 2008 - 01:17 PM
Yep, black legs on the coralife.
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