Suitable lighting for a 4ft Tank

captain telecredible · 10-02-2008, 07:49 AM

Hi guys,
I am recently embarking on a new project, and i need some advice on what lighting is suitable for a 4x2x2 dimension tank ? Currently in my mind now is a Metal halide. Whats the suitable wattage needed ? And should I buy or should I rather just DIY and Metal Halide ? I have a spare 500 Watt Metal Halide but I am afraid that it is way too overkill. And also should I buy a commerical metal halide(what brand is recommanded) ? Thanks a million !

Your Sincerely,
Captain Telecredibles !

John N. · 10-02-2008, 03:10 PM

Hi Captian Telecredibles, what type of tank are you going for? A high light tank with the ability to grow all plants (but also has high maintenance involved), or a slow growing tank?

I can tell you now that I think 500 watt MH is waay over kill, especially when factoring that most of it is wasted energy that doesn't get down to your plants.

-John N.

captain telecredible · 10-03-2008, 12:15 AM

Hi John N.
I am currently looking for a high light tank, because it gives me the previlege of having more spieces of plants, though I am aware about the high maintenance invloved, how much wattage is recommanded for a high lighted planted aquarium ? Thanks.

- Captain Telecredibles

tirtha1979 · 10-03-2008, 05:26 PM

Captain, take a look at this thread given in the below link. We were discussing exactly the same thing there.

Question related to MH Color Temp.

captain telecredible · 10-04-2008, 04:02 AM

Hi Tirtha,1979
Is 2x250w Metal Halide way to overkill for a four feet tank of yours? Cause John N. said that 500w is way to overkill for a four feet tank. Have you setup your tank? Can you share some pictures of the tank? I want to see that lighting effect. Thanks a million.

Cheers,
Captain Telecredibles

tirtha1979 · 10-04-2008, 11:10 AM

Hi Captain, That was my fault, that I have mentioned 250x2. That should be 150x2MH. I am not getting the thread Edit option thats why could not correct my mistek. Sorry for the confusion.

**Orlando** · 10-04-2008, 11:27 AM

If your looking for something with less heat issues (Hot Singapore weather) I would opt for T5 lighting...

Cheers, Orlando

P.S

I have a Tank with these very dimensions..120G

tirtha1979 · 10-04-2008, 05:09 PM

Hi Orlando, I am completely agree with you. If Temp is the issue, then nothing can beat T5 HO lights. Mix of 6500K and 8000K can serve the porpuse.

Here in India, Hot places like Gurgaon/Chennai, aquarists are using MH. But to avoid the heat related issues, we are using DC fans. It's evaporating the tank water and as results the tank temparature is going down.

captain telecredible · 10-05-2008, 01:09 AM

Hi Orlando,
Using metal halide in Singapore is alright because alot of aquarist are also using metal halide and i have tried a T5HO lighting before, but I personally feel that there is a lack of penetration. Metal halide might be better though. Any brands to recommand me? or should I try DIY it ? Btw, Tirtha1979, its alright is 2x150w alright for your tank? the temprature I might think of adding a chiller after I setup and decide it base on the situation. Cause it will take a few months before i actually start up the tank as my house is going under renovation currently.

Cheers,
Captain Telecredibles.

tirtha1979 · 10-05-2008, 06:08 AM

I think using 3.5wpg will be enough for a 120G tank specially when it is MH. I am using Astralux MH bulbs.

I am making a DIY stand to mount the MH 1 feet above the water surface. This will bypass a lot of heat problem.

captain telecredible · 10-05-2008, 08:34 AM

Hi Tirtha1979,
Currently my plan was to make a build in type aquarium in a feature wall. But I am quite certain that most all the metal halides emit hot heat. Though I have choosen the right material for the feature wall, I want to choose a metal halide that does emit lesser heat. Any recommandations? Cause the metal halide will be build into the upper cabinet. Just want to make sure that the temprature of the aquarium doesnt go beyond the limits, before I actually buy a chiller.

Cheers,
Captain Telecredibles.

**Orlando** · 10-05-2008, 11:51 AM

There is no such thing as a MH with little heat. You will need to utilize Hydroponic gardening exhaust equipment to keep heat to a minimum. They are just well made ventilation fans.
If your building into a wall I would also recommend installing an exhaust fan on the ceiling to remove hot air from the room itself.

Regards, Orlando

captain telecredible · 10-09-2008, 05:03 AM

Hi Orlando,
Ok, Thanks for the information, by the way cause my tank is like kind of build in to a featured wall made of Chengai wood in which there are limited space for ventilation and I am very afraid that the temperature might sore to 30 degrees as in Singapore the weather is pretty hot. Thus any method in providing the metal halide with enough ventilation so that the tank temperature will be under control.

You Sincerely,
Captain Telecredible.

captain telecredible · 10-09-2008, 05:05 AM

Hi Orlando,
By the way a exhaust fan would look very awkward in a featured wall as mainly the 4 sides are exposed and a exhaust fan in the middle of the living room would look very weird, don't you think so?

Cheers,
Captain Telecredible.

tirtha1979 · 10-09-2008, 07:04 AM

There are DC fan sets available for specially aquariums. Those are smaller and can be clipped top of the tank. And those are too effective.

captain telecredible · 10-09-2008, 07:52 AM

Hi Tirtha1979,
I my humble opinion, I feels that by adding a DC fan or a exhaust fan inside an aquarium would actually cause to have a higher rate of evaporation and would actually be very troublesome to keep topping up water, especially such a big tank. Anyway thanks for you piece of advise. Any recommendations for a 4X3X2 ft tank lighting requirements?? should i go for 2X150 or 3X150? Thanks.

Cheers,
Captain Telecredible.

tirtha1979 · 10-09-2008, 03:16 PM

4x3x2 ft is not a good dimension for a planted tank. You will face froblem while maintaining. Keep the size 4x2x2ft. Best and balanced dimension. And for that size 2x150 watt will me more than enough. Go for 2 150watt 8000K or 8800K Astralux Bulbs.

captain telecredible · 10-10-2008, 03:39 AM

Hi Tirtha1979,
After using a 4X2X2 tank i personally feels that the tank is still pretty short. Hence I decided to use 3ft, and I am aware that the trouble during clean process. So 2X150W is the most ideal lighting? By the way, a newbie question, 8000K is natural lighting what about 1500K lighting bulb? Does it makes a difference? Thanks

Best Regard,
Captain Telecredible.

trackhazard · 10-10-2008, 03:37 PM

1500K lighting will look very yellow. In general, the lower K you go, the more yellow the light will look. The higher you go, the more blue.

See the chart here for a visual display of kelvin in terms of lighting:

http://www.3drender.com/glossary/colortemp.jpg

Chlorophyll typically requires lights in the 400 & 600 nm (blue & red light) wavelengths .

The spectrum

Take a look at the charts for your bulbs and see if the peaks are there. Typically, most bulbs in the 3000-10000K range will be able to provide these necessary wavelengths. K ratings are typically considered more for viewer preference and do not have a great impact on plant growth.

Charlie

captain telecredible · 10-10-2008, 10:14 PM

Hi Trackhazard,
Thanks for the great link. Thanks guys. Anyway, should I DIY or buy one? Which one you guys prefer better. Thanks

Captain Telecredibles.

10-02-2008, 07:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
captain telecredible Junior Aquascaper Join Date: May 2008 Location: singapore Posts: 22	Suitable lighting for a 4ft Tank Hi guys, I am recently embarking on a new project, and i need some advice on what lighting is suitable for a 4x2x2 dimension tank ? Currently in my mind now is a Metal halide. Whats the suitable wattage needed ? And should I buy or should I rather just DIY and Metal Halide ? I have a spare 500 Watt Metal Halide but I am afraid that it is way too overkill. And also should I buy a commerical metal halide(what brand is recommanded) ? Thanks a million ! Your Sincerely, Captain Telecredibles !

10-02-2008, 03:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
John N. Administrator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Posts: 1,242	Hi Captian Telecredibles, what type of tank are you going for? A high light tank with the ability to grow all plants (but also has high maintenance involved), or a slow growing tank? I can tell you now that I think 500 watt MH is waay over kill, especially when factoring that most of it is wasted energy that doesn't get down to your plants. -John N. __________________ Welcome to AquaScaping World!

10-03-2008, 05:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
tirtha1979 Aspiring Aquascaper Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delhi, India Posts: 71	Captain, take a look at this thread given in the below link. We were discussing exactly the same thing there. Question related to MH Color Temp. __________________ Regards, Tirtha It is not how much you do, but how much love you put in the doing.

10-04-2008, 11:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
tirtha1979 Aspiring Aquascaper Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delhi, India Posts: 71	Hi Captain, That was my fault, that I have mentioned 250x2. That should be 150x2MH. I am not getting the thread Edit option thats why could not correct my mistek. Sorry for the confusion. __________________ Regards, Tirtha It is not how much you do, but how much love you put in the doing.

10-04-2008, 11:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
Orlando Supporting Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 352	If your looking for something with less heat issues (Hot Singapore weather) I would opt for T5 lighting... Cheers, Orlando P.S I have a Tank with these very dimensions..120G __________________

10-03-2008, 12:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
captain telecredible Junior Aquascaper Join Date: May 2008 Location: singapore Posts: 22	Hi John N. I am currently looking for a high light tank, because it gives me the previlege of having more spieces of plants, though I am aware about the high maintenance invloved, how much wattage is recommanded for a high lighted planted aquarium ? Thanks. - Captain Telecredibles

10-04-2008, 04:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
captain telecredible Junior Aquascaper Join Date: May 2008 Location: singapore Posts: 22	Hi Tirtha,1979 Is 2x250w Metal Halide way to overkill for a four feet tank of yours? Cause John N. said that 500w is way to overkill for a four feet tank. Have you setup your tank? Can you share some pictures of the tank? I want to see that lighting effect. Thanks a million. Cheers, Captain Telecredibles

10-04-2008, 05:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
tirtha1979 Aspiring Aquascaper Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delhi, India Posts: 71	Hi Orlando, I am completely agree with you. If Temp is the issue, then nothing can beat T5 HO lights. Mix of 6500K and 8000K can serve the porpuse. Here in India, Hot places like Gurgaon/Chennai, aquarists are using MH. But to avoid the heat related issues, we are using DC fans. It's evaporating the tank water and as results the tank temparature is going down. __________________ Regards, Tirtha It is not how much you do, but how much love you put in the doing.

10-05-2008, 01:09 AM	#9 (permalink)
captain telecredible Junior Aquascaper Join Date: May 2008 Location: singapore Posts: 22	Hi Orlando, Using metal halide in Singapore is alright because alot of aquarist are also using metal halide and i have tried a T5HO lighting before, but I personally feel that there is a lack of penetration. Metal halide might be better though. Any brands to recommand me? or should I try DIY it ? Btw, Tirtha1979, its alright is 2x150w alright for your tank? the temprature I might think of adding a chiller after I setup and decide it base on the situation. Cause it will take a few months before i actually start up the tank as my house is going under renovation currently. Cheers, Captain Telecredibles.

10-05-2008, 06:08 AM	#10 (permalink)
tirtha1979 Aspiring Aquascaper Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delhi, India Posts: 71	I think using 3.5wpg will be enough for a 120G tank specially when it is MH. I am using Astralux MH bulbs. I am making a DIY stand to mount the MH 1 feet above the water surface. This will bypass a lot of heat problem. __________________ Regards, Tirtha It is not how much you do, but how much love you put in the doing.

10-05-2008, 08:34 AM	#11 (permalink)
captain telecredible Junior Aquascaper Join Date: May 2008 Location: singapore Posts: 22	Hi Tirtha1979, Currently my plan was to make a build in type aquarium in a feature wall. But I am quite certain that most all the metal halides emit hot heat. Though I have choosen the right material for the feature wall, I want to choose a metal halide that does emit lesser heat. Any recommandations? Cause the metal halide will be build into the upper cabinet. Just want to make sure that the temprature of the aquarium doesnt go beyond the limits, before I actually buy a chiller. Cheers, Captain Telecredibles.

10-05-2008, 11:51 AM	#12 (permalink)
Orlando Supporting Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 352	There is no such thing as a MH with little heat. You will need to utilize Hydroponic gardening exhaust equipment to keep heat to a minimum. They are just well made ventilation fans. If your building into a wall I would also recommend installing an exhaust fan on the ceiling to remove hot air from the room itself. Regards, Orlando __________________

10-09-2008, 05:03 AM	#13 (permalink)
captain telecredible Junior Aquascaper Join Date: May 2008 Location: singapore Posts: 22	Hi Orlando, Ok, Thanks for the information, by the way cause my tank is like kind of build in to a featured wall made of Chengai wood in which there are limited space for ventilation and I am very afraid that the temperature might sore to 30 degrees as in Singapore the weather is pretty hot. Thus any method in providing the metal halide with enough ventilation so that the tank temperature will be under control. You Sincerely, Captain Telecredible.

10-09-2008, 05:05 AM	#14 (permalink)
captain telecredible Junior Aquascaper Join Date: May 2008 Location: singapore Posts: 22	Hi Orlando, By the way a exhaust fan would look very awkward in a featured wall as mainly the 4 sides are exposed and a exhaust fan in the middle of the living room would look very weird, don't you think so? Cheers, Captain Telecredible.

10-09-2008, 07:04 AM	#15 (permalink)
tirtha1979 Aspiring Aquascaper Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delhi, India Posts: 71	There are DC fan sets available for specially aquariums. Those are smaller and can be clipped top of the tank. And those are too effective. __________________ Regards, Tirtha It is not how much you do, but how much love you put in the doing.

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10-09-2008, 07:52 AM	#16 (permalink)
captain telecredible Junior Aquascaper Join Date: May 2008 Location: singapore Posts: 22	Hi Tirtha1979, I my humble opinion, I feels that by adding a DC fan or a exhaust fan inside an aquarium would actually cause to have a higher rate of evaporation and would actually be very troublesome to keep topping up water, especially such a big tank. Anyway thanks for you piece of advise. Any recommendations for a 4X3X2 ft tank lighting requirements?? should i go for 2X150 or 3X150? Thanks. Cheers, Captain Telecredible.

10-09-2008, 03:16 PM	#17 (permalink)
tirtha1979 Aspiring Aquascaper Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delhi, India Posts: 71	4x3x2 ft is not a good dimension for a planted tank. You will face froblem while maintaining. Keep the size 4x2x2ft. Best and balanced dimension. And for that size 2x150 watt will me more than enough. Go for 2 150watt 8000K or 8800K Astralux Bulbs. __________________ Regards, Tirtha It is not how much you do, but how much love you put in the doing.

10-10-2008, 03:39 AM	#18 (permalink)
captain telecredible Junior Aquascaper Join Date: May 2008 Location: singapore Posts: 22	Hi Tirtha1979, After using a 4X2X2 tank i personally feels that the tank is still pretty short. Hence I decided to use 3ft, and I am aware that the trouble during clean process. So 2X150W is the most ideal lighting? By the way, a newbie question, 8000K is natural lighting what about 1500K lighting bulb? Does it makes a difference? Thanks Best Regard, Captain Telecredible.

10-10-2008, 03:37 PM	#19 (permalink)
trackhazard Junior Aquascaper Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: LA, CA Posts: 2	1500K lighting will look very yellow. In general, the lower K you go, the more yellow the light will look. The higher you go, the more blue. See the chart here for a visual display of kelvin in terms of lighting: http://www.3drender.com/glossary/colortemp.jpg Chlorophyll typically requires lights in the 400 & 600 nm (blue & red light) wavelengths . The spectrum Take a look at the charts for your bulbs and see if the peaks are there. Typically, most bulbs in the 3000-10000K range will be able to provide these necessary wavelengths. K ratings are typically considered more for viewer preference and do not have a great impact on plant growth. Charlie

10-10-2008, 10:14 PM	#20 (permalink)
captain telecredible Junior Aquascaper Join Date: May 2008 Location: singapore Posts: 22	Hi Trackhazard, Thanks for the great link. Thanks guys. Anyway, should I DIY or buy one? Which one you guys prefer better. Thanks Captain Telecredibles.

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