Hello, New Member Here!

[scottb]

UPDATE: I am thinking of getting this light (hope the link works)

http://www.fishneedit.com/t5ho-3ft--2lamp-aquarium-light.html

I have the choice of either 2 white bulbs which are either 6700k, 10000k or 14000k, leaning towards the 6700k. All blue, 1 blue and 1 white, all pink, or 1 white and 1 pink. Any idea what the difference between the blue and pink bulbs do? Also, what do you think is the best combination of bulbs? Thanks in advance!

 

[Mumma.of.two]

I *think* the pink ones are suppose to grow plants better than the white. I have one pink and one white if that helps
The blue is probably actinic and they don't grow plants.

 

[scottb]

I *think* the pink ones are suppose to grow plants better than the white. I have one pink and one white if that helps
The blue is probably actinic and they don't grow plants.

Thanks. I know I read somewhere what the colors of the bulbs do. I'll have to try and find it again. Which tank has the white and pink? And is your white 6500k or 6700k? and wattage, if it's not too much of a hassle.

UPDATE: the light I linked above is actually too big. It measures 38" long and my tank is 31" long =(. Will have to do more searching

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Thanks. I know I read somewhere what the colors of the bulbs do. I'll have to try and find it again. Which tank has the white and pink? And is your white 6500k or 6700k? and wattage, if it's not too much of a hassle.

UPDATE: the light I linked above is actually too big. It measures 38" long and my tank is 31" long =(. Will have to do more searching

The 70g. It's the only one with t5s the others have t8s. The white is 10000K because that's what came with the fixture. 39w 3 foot bulbs. My tanks quite tall. 60cm high.

 

[scottb]

The 70g. It's the only one with t5s the others have t8s. The white is 10000K because that's what came with the fixture. 39w 3 foot bulbs. My tanks quite tall. 60cm high.

60cm is roughly 23in, and my tank is about 21in high, but I'd say more like 18in with the gravel and everything. How tall does the light sit above the tank? Also, I noticed that my fish like to hang out at the top of the tank when the lights are off, and the middle to bottom, when the lights are on. Is this simply due to the temperature being warmer when the lights are on?

 

[Mumma.of.two]

My light sits on the glass.

 

[scottb]

My light sits on the glass.

Oh, in the picture it looks like it's propped up on legs. Any clue with my fishes behavior?

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Oh, in the picture it looks like it's propped up on legs. Any clue with my fishes behavior?

Oh sorry! I just moved it. As of about 3 days ago it sits on the glass. Before that it sat on legs about 20cm or so above the top.
The fish hanging at the top while lights off is fine. They are resting/sleeping there.

 

[scottb]

Oh sorry! I just moved it. As of about 3 days ago it sits on the glass. Before that it sat on legs about 20cm or so above the top.
The fish hanging at the top while lights off is fine. They are resting/sleeping there.

ahh haha ok, I was going to say. Any reason why you decided to sit it on the glass? Also, thank you about the fish. All I can say is....whew.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

All good
I finally cut the insides out of the tanks hood so it would fit. Looks much better now.

 

[scottb]

All good
I finally cut the insides out of the tanks hood so it would fit. Looks much better now.

WOW. I agree, looks a lot better. I can't wait until my tank is cycled and I can add plants. I keep dreaming of having a heavily planted tank, but I think it would be wiser to start small, then build up from there. So I will probably just start with some amazon swords, java fern for my driftwood, and possibly some dwarf sag for the foreground. ok, need to stop talking about it before I torture myself more haha.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

You know you can add plants during the cycle. They actually love a cycling tank. They consume ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

 

[scottb]

You know you can add plants during the cycle. They actually love a cycling tank. They consume ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

Nice. I think I'm going to look into getting some Amazon Swords, and some java fern for my driftwood, to start. Do you recommend I start dosing with Excel and Comprehensive? I haven't been since I got the fish, and I haven't put in any tabs either since I redid my tank. Do you know of any good online retailers for plants? Preferably somewhere with decent prices and not crazy shipping charges.

I am debating between these two light fixtures (let me know if the links don't work):

Coralife Aqualight High Output T5 Freshwater Aquarium Lighting Fixture 2X31W 30 inch Coralife T5 HO

AquaticLife 30" T5 HO 2 Lamp Fixture Freshwater AquaticLife 24 AquaticLife Lights AquaticLife T5 HO Light AquaticLife Light AquaticLife Lighting Dual Lamp T5 HO Aquatic Life

The only real noticeable difference I see is that both of the fixtures come with different bulbs (6000k and 6700k, colormax and actinic blue), with different watts (one comes with 2x31w and the other 2x24), and the AquaticLife has one bulb measured in nm, but I have no idea how to reference that.

Also found this one, it's in the same price range and it has 4 bulbs with 2 switches so I can use only 2 and have the option of using 4 in the future.

http://fishneedit.com/30in-4bulbs-fixtu304.html

Any idea which one is better? Any help/opinions are appreciated.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Nice. I think I'm going to look into getting some Amazon Swords, and some java fern for my driftwood, to start. Do you recommend I start dosing with Excel and Comprehensive? I haven't been since I got the fish, and I haven't put in any tabs either since I redid my tank. Do you know of any good online retailers for plants? Preferably somewhere with decent prices and not crazy shipping charges.

I am debating between these two light fixtures (let me know if the links don't work):

Coralife Aqualight High Output T5 Freshwater Aquarium Lighting Fixture 2X31W 30 inch Coralife T5 HO

AquaticLife 30" T5 HO 2 Lamp Fixture Freshwater AquaticLife 24 AquaticLife Lights AquaticLife T5 HO Light AquaticLife Light AquaticLife Lighting Dual Lamp T5 HO Aquatic Life

The only real noticeable difference I see is that both of the fixtures come with different bulbs (6000k and 6700k, colormax and actinic blue), with different watts (one comes with 2x31w and the other 2x24), and the AquaticLife has one bulb measured in nm, but I have no idea how to reference that. Do you know if I can simply replace the bulbs with any T5HO bulb? or is the wattage specific to the fixture? So if it comes with 24w bulbs, I can only replace it with another 24w bulb, or can I replace it with a bulb of higher, or lower watts? Any idea which one is better? Any help/opinions are appreciated.

I'm pretty sure the 31w bulbs are 30" and the 24w bulbs are 21" long. So they aren't interchangeable because they are different lengths. If it where me I'd pick the coralife fixture. You can start ferts when you get plants. Swords are heavy root feeders so put some root tabs under them.

Edit: the last fixture looks good too! If you decide to go more high tech in the future you can use the same fixture.

 

[scottb]

You know you can add plants during the cycle. They actually love a cycling tank. They consume ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

I'm pretty sure the 31w bulbs are 30" and the 24w bulbs are 21" long. So they aren't interchangeable because they are different lengths. If it where me I'd pick the coralife fixture. You can start ferts when you get plants. Swords are heavy root feeders so put some root tabs under them.

Thanks, I was leaning towards the Coralife as well. So based on the measurements, if my tank is 31" long, from its widest point, so from frame to frame, this light should fit right? My current fixture is 30" long and houses a 24" bulb. At least I'm pretty sure it's 30" long.

The only thing with the last light is that I would need to buy new bulbs, because they only offer 10000k or 20000k bulbs. Doesn't seem like too big a hassle though, right?

21" long.....seems like an odd length. 24" and 30" make more sense, to me at least haha.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Thanks, I was leaning towards the Coralife as well. So based on the measurements, if my tank is 31" long, from its widest point, so from frame to frame, this light should fit right? My current fixture is 30" long and houses a 24" bulb. At least I'm pretty sure it's 30" long.

The only thing with the last light is that I would need to buy new bulbs, because they only offer 10000k or 20000k bulbs. Doesn't seem like too big a hassle though, right?

21" long.....seems like an odd length. 24" and 30" make more sense, to me at least haha.

I'm getting confused! Lol! You will want a fixture the same length as the one you have. So if it's 30" with 24" bulbs you'll want another 30" fixture with 24" bulbs.

 

[scottb]

I'm getting confused! Lol! You will want a fixture the same length as the one you have. So if it's 30" with 24" bulbs you'll want another 30" fixture with 24" bulbs.

If this were the case, none of the three fixtures would work then. Wouldn't I be able to use a fixture that is roughly 30" long and has a 24w bulb? I will be replacing my stock hood with an all glass Versa Top, if this makes any difference.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

If this were the case, none of the three fixtures would work then. Wouldn't I be able to use a fixture that is roughly 30" long and has a 24w bulb? I will be replacing my stock hood with an all glass Versa Top, if this makes any difference.

I haven't a clue about different hoods available. Tank standard sizes, brands and fixtures are all different where I am.
This thread has gotten very long so to get more views maybe start a new one for the lights? I wish I could help!

 

[scottb]

I haven't a clue about different hoods available. Tank standard sizes, brands and fixtures are all different where I am.
This thread has gotten very long so to get more views maybe start a new one for the lights? I wish I could help!

Agreed. Thanks for all the help!

 

[vinniefrio]

help!Newbe with fish in cycle

Hi and welcome!
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/guide-to-starting-a-freshwater-aquarium-186089.html
Please read this. It contains info on different cycling methods including the safe way to to a fish in cycle.[please help with fish in cycle,fish are ok for now.thanks vinniefrio