lighting help

[Troy Bruder]

Hello,

I would like to put the best possible lighting configuration into my 30
gallon freshwater planted tank... (18" deep).. What do you guys
recommend??? I'm looking for suggestions on wattage, and lighting
temperatures.

Currently, I'm running a single 96 Watt PC bulb at 6700k... It's almost at
the end of it's life cycle, and was wondering if I could do better, or
should just stick with what I have..

My tank also has pressurized CO2 injection....

Thanks!
Troy

[Keith Moore]

wrote:

>I would like to put the best possible lighting configuration into my 30
>gallon freshwater planted tank... (18" deep).. What do you guys
>recommend??? I'm looking for suggestions on wattage, and lighting
>temperatures.
>
>Currently, I'm running a single 96 Watt PC bulb at 6700k... It's almost at
>the end of it's life cycle, and was wondering if I could do better, or
>should just stick with what I have..
>
>My tank also has pressurized CO2 injection....
>

Well you're running almost 3 watts/gallon which ain't bad. If the growth and
illumination is still suitable I'd just stick with your current tube until it
quits completely. You may want to check out www.ahsupply.com and see the
reflectors they offer, if it isn't already part of your setup.


Keith

[Troy Bruder]

Thanks for the comments Keith.... AHSupply is exactly where I got my
current lighting configuration. I was told about 18 months of useful life
per bulb... Mine is around 15 months old, and was going to replace it...
Wasn't sure if 6 Watts per gallon would be overkill if I added a second 96
watter.....

Thanks,
Troy



"Keith Moore" > wrote in message
...
> wrote:
>
> >I would like to put the best possible lighting configuration into my 30
> >gallon freshwater planted tank... (18" deep).. What do you guys
> >recommend??? I'm looking for suggestions on wattage, and lighting
> >temperatures.
> >
> >Currently, I'm running a single 96 Watt PC bulb at 6700k... It's almost
at
> >the end of it's life cycle, and was wondering if I could do better, or
> >should just stick with what I have..
> >
> >My tank also has pressurized CO2 injection....
> >
>
> Well you're running almost 3 watts/gallon which ain't bad. If the growth
and
> illumination is still suitable I'd just stick with your current tube until
it
> quits completely. You may want to check out www.ahsupply.com and see the
> reflectors they offer, if it isn't already part of your setup.
>
>
> Keith

[Dunter Powries]

Troy Bruder > wrote in message
...
> ...
> Wasn't sure if 6 Watts per gallon would be overkill if I added a second 96
> watter.....

Whoa. You'll want to outfit your fish with little tiny foster grants.

[AQUATIC-STORE.COM]

What tupe of plants are you planning on having?
This will healp us help you.
Also i have the cheapest lights on the net for bulbs and hamilton
lights.

Marcus

http://www.aquatic-store.com/

Co2 tanks on sale
Power compact bulbs and MH the lowest on the net
Eheim PRO II 2026 $143
Co2 regulator and bubble counter with needle valve $75
FORUM

http://aquatic.yupapa.com/phpbb/index.php


On 06 Oct 2003 18:46:22 GMT, (Keith Moore)
wrote:

wrote:
>
>>I would like to put the best possible lighting configuration into my 30
>>gallon freshwater planted tank... (18" deep).. What do you guys
>>recommend??? I'm looking for suggestions on wattage, and lighting
>>temperatures.
>>
>>Currently, I'm running a single 96 Watt PC bulb at 6700k... It's almost at
>>the end of it's life cycle, and was wondering if I could do better, or
>>should just stick with what I have..
>>
>>My tank also has pressurized CO2 injection....
>>
>
>Well you're running almost 3 watts/gallon which ain't bad. If the growth and
>illumination is still suitable I'd just stick with your current tube until it
>quits completely. You may want to check out www.ahsupply.com and see the
>reflectors they offer, if it isn't already part of your setup.
>
>
>Keith

[Keith Moore]

Troy Bruder wrote:

>AHSupply is exactly where I got my
>current lighting configuration. I was told about 18 months of useful life
>per bulb... Mine is around 15 months old, and was going to replace it...
>Wasn't sure if 6 Watts per gallon would be overkill if I added a second 96
>watter.....

I've got bulbs almost 3 years old and they're still going strong.
Six watts/ gallon might be overkill depending on who you talk too : ) With that
much lighting it would really be hard to keep up with a proper dosing routine
and also leave little room for error.



Keith

[Keith Moore]

Troy Bruder wrote:

>AHSupply is exactly where I got my
>current lighting configuration. I was told about 18 months of useful life
>per bulb... Mine is around 15 months old, and was going to replace it...
>Wasn't sure if 6 Watts per gallon would be overkill if I added a second 96
>watter.....

I've got bulbs almost 3 years old and they're still going strong.
Six watts/ gallon might be overkill depending on who you talk too : ) With that
much lighting it would really be hard to keep up with a proper dosing routine
and also leave little room for error.



Keith

[Dave Millman]

Keith Moore wrote:

> I've got bulbs almost 3 years old and they're still going strong.

Keith,

Buy one new one, plug it in next to the others, and compare. You'll end up buying
the others too.

Yes, your old ones are still burning. But no, they aren't nearly what they were
when you bought them. 18 months is about right.

[Keith Moore]

Dave Millman wrote:

>Keith,
>
>Buy one new one, plug it in next to the others, and compare. You'll end up
>buying
>the others too.
>
>Yes, your old ones are still burning. But no, they aren't nearly what they
>were
>when you bought them. 18 months is about right.

Dave I am sure that is true. I guess what I meant by "still going strong" was
based on actual plant growth.
Fluorescent bulbs absolutely grow dimmer over time and problems can arise from
diminished output, such as increased algae and poor plant growth.
It just doesn't make sense to replace a CF bulb that is performing well.

Best regards,

Keith Moore

[Dave Millman]

Keith Moore wrote:

> Fluorescent bulbs absolutely grow dimmer over time and problems can arise from
> diminished output, such as increased algae and poor plant growth.
> It just doesn't make sense to replace a CF bulb that is performing well.

Keith, here it is from another perspective: You spent good cash to purchase a CF
system, probably 4X-5X what an adequate Home Depot shop light system would have
cost. If you weren't concerned with light quality and output, you certainly would
have saved those funds, or invested them in another purchase you valued more
highly.

At this time, you are NOT getting what you paid for. If you are OK with this,
great, although, the obvious question of why you invested in CF in the first place
does arise.

If you want to get what you paid for, and what you enjoyed for the first 18
months, replace the bulbs. That's my thinking, anyway.