5.5foot tank I might buy soon

I am thinking of changing it differently apparently the hailea make has got a 40w 1.5 meter florescent tube, will go check it out on the weekend.

If this is the case I will rather get 2 of them and will change the design so they will be mounted in the middle of the canopy.

When I had my previous 5 foot tank over 10 years ago I use 2 x 1.2 meter tubes and it worked fine had no dark spots in the tank. they just lied on top of the middle brace of the tank.

 

Hey @mydummyname - Long time no see. I thought maybe you had gone the Azure route :blink1:. Sliders will brobably be the best route but maybe 2 fixed (LHS and RHS) with a moveable in the center. I will draw up a few options and post on my thread :bigsmile:

 

If you don't like those you can stiil use the 1.2m tubes. Just mount them off center from each other, this way also no dark spots. You basically want good light, no specific spectrum seeing it's not a planted tank.

Are you still planning on the slider idea with the change?

 

Okay cool I was also thinking rather mounting them next to each other in the middle of the tank maybe 15cm apart from each other. This route should cost me rought R400 and if I go the builders warehouse route it would cost between R500 and R600 but this route is to bulky I dont want this.

Yes I will have the glass sliders about 10 to 15mm from the top of the canopy. I liked this method plenty on my previous tank.

How would you mount the lights if you where using glass sliders for the top of the canopy.

I was thinking of getting 2 x 1660l x 40mm wide super wood which I will mount onto the sides of the canopy and then I will mount the lights on the bottom of the wood. Think this method will be sweeet.

 

lol no chance of that happening, its just been crazy, i hardly have time to blink lol

interesting idea, of course, all 3 pieces would technicaly still be moveable and give you that flexibility..

@hviviers75 just noticed your new avatar! dude it looks fantastic!!

spot on.

@hviviers75, i would advise you go for T5 lamps rather than T8, as the T8's need to be replaced every 5-6 months as per @Zoom, i will need to change mine as well.

 

Changed design of the canopy

Hi extended the 2 pieces of wood for the florescent tubes.

Then I will mount them at the bottom of the wood dead centre in the middle of the tank.

Sure this will be spot on.

 

@mydummyname, You know what I priced the t5 lamps they are like more then double the price. I can get t8 lamps between R80 - R115 each where the t8 are 80watts and they cost like R270 each.

I dont mind spending 200 bucks every six months. On my old tank a few years ago I only had to change the t8 like once a year.

 

Thanks dude I am glad I got the avatar pic working eventually.

 

Have you tried Lamphouse? Im sure there is a branch in JHB. I got my two T8 Cool daylight 6500k 18watt 60cm tubes for R22 each, T8 Growlux for R50 each and the T8 Aquastar for R90 each. The Aquastar tubes are great for non planted tanks IMO.


Im thinking of getting 2 x 90cm Aquastar for my 1.8m and use normal Aquarium ballast which cost about R80 here. I have glass sliders and will hang these lights from the ceiling.

Just an idea..........

 

Here is a pic of the traditional method. Glass rails on the sides of the tank, with sheets that slide either way on top of those glass rails. The light basically shines through the glass. This is a good way to insulate the tank. Keeps in moisture and the temp stays spot on. Bad picture though. Was my old tank. :embarrest:

 

I will be using the glass tracks with top + bottom you get these rails at builders warehouse and mica shops.

I just siliconed mine onto my wood slided in the glass and woila.

 

Pics or it never happened. You have some work to do now hey..

 

LOL will probably start the canopy build next weekend.

Will definitely post pics when I start the canopy build.

Oh yes some serious work. Will have to do this at my dad's place he got all the tools.

 

I read up on T5 tubes and think I will be going with them, they are less energy efficient and they also have a higher k rating of 14000 compared to t8 maybe 6500-7000k. Will go with the t5 54w ballast you get at the lfs and then 54w t5 tubes. Just shopping around for price.

 

I can guarantee the price on the T5 ballast at lfs will be more expensive than at Electric outlet. Double T5 54W ballast around R280 with tubes from electric warehouses or Builders etc. At lfs.. Lets hear the prices.... But good choice going on the T5 unit. Saves money in the long run and they look much better.

 

Okay here is the pricing guys, At Lighting warehouse they have a 4foot Applo T5 54w ballast for R230 and then the tubes are 54w @ 4000 Kelvin R35 each so this works out @ R300 for everything this is like R150-R200 bucks cheaper then at the lfs some lfs are even more expensive. Think I will go with this.

 

@hviviers75 - That K is a bit low if you ever decide on plants in that tank. Is that a dual ballast?

 

Yes it is dual ballast I will never have live plants so sure it should be fine.

 

With a K rating of 4000k, these tubes are going to make your tank look very yellow. For good display lighting you need tubes with a K rating of 6500k plus.

 

I actually did see tubes at builders warehouse that is 6500k so I should go with those then?