Low Intensity Lighting

[An t-iasg]

I would like to add some low intensity lighting to my betta tanks. Right now, the tanks have no lighting. The tanks are under the kitchen cabinets, and above the tanks is a halogen strip light. I stopped using this for tank lighting when I got a cyano outbreak.

The tanks are arranged in an L-shape, and the halogen strip light is diagonal over both tanks. My question is, can I go to Lowe's or Home Depot and get an under-cabinet flourescent light that is the same length as the halogen strip (18 inches) and replace the halogen strip with the flourescent strip? Then I would throw out the flourescent light that the new strip came with, and buy an aquarium light. Would this work?

Here are some of the lights that I'm considering in the DrsFosterSmith catalog: (they are all 18 inches, and it would go over both tanks). I have java moss in the tanks.

GE Spectra Rays Full Spectrum -- 14 watt, 5000 K
GE Aqua Rays Freshwater -- 14 watt, 4400 K
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Beauty Light -- 14 watts, no color temp. given

ZooMed Flora Sun bulbs -- 15 watt, 5000 K
ZooMed Tropic Sun -- 15 watt, 5500 K
Corallife Day-Max -- 15 watt, 6000 K

The last three lights seem a little high in intensity. But would it be, stretched over both tanks, and about 5 inches above the tanks? Also, I don't want to sit beside the tanks, squinting, either!

Any insights would be appreciated!

[Fruitbat]

Yes....you can do what you propose. The K numbers aren't intensity levels...they are color temperature indications. A color temperature of about 10,000K is similar to what you'd get from a clear, blue sky. 5000-5400K is similar to what you'd see at noon on a summer day at mid-latitudes. Personally, I'd go for one of the broad-spectrum lights like the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Beauty Light or the GE Spectra Rays Full Spectrum. Since growing plants isn't your main goal here then those bulbs will probably do the best at bringing out the colors in your Betta.

[An t-iasg]

Thanks for the fast answer, Fruitbat! I'm glad this will work. My husband says the florescent strip can be wired into the adjoining halogen strip, under the next cabinet, for power. I hope so... I don't want to go boom!

P.S. Have you seen the pics of my bettas in their java moss "nests"?

[Fruitbat]

Yes....I saw those....VERY good idea...and the Betta look really cute nestled in there!

[An t-iasg]

Thanks, Fruitbat! The bettas are little cuties, just like your Polypterus babies!

Thanks also for the lighting help...I'll make my husband get started right away!

[An t-iasg]

We went to Home Depot tonight and got a GE flourescent strip light. It says "direct wire" on the box -- so the power cord can come over from the neighboring halogen strip.

Should I use the acrylic cover over the aquarium light that I'll put in the strip? The box said something like "acrylic cover gives a soft, warm glow". I'm wondering if it will alter the spectrum of the aquarium light in any way. If I was using an aquarium light fixture, the light would sit over my glass hood, with no opaque cover in between.

[TankGirl]

I would try it with the cover, as it will diffuse the light somewhat, and cover the exposed bulb, in case that would be visible under your cabinet when sitting down. I don't think it will make a huge difference, but it might. I have often used those strips for small tank lighting (I always have a small tank in the kitchen) and they are great, and I have grown plants with them as well, even using the bulb they came with.

[An t-iasg]

Thanks, TankGirl! That's what I was thinking too -- that the bare bulb would shine in my eyes when I'm sitting here at the counter with the laptop (on AA, of course!) I'll try the cover. I just want a little light for the moss. I think the fish are fine with room light, but since the tanks are under the over-hanging cabinets, they can appear a little "shadowy" sometimes.