Sorry for the Door's lead in...
Nice forum, finally writing instead of hanging out in the shadows.
Appreciate any commentary you can provide
Okay, background is:
50 long gallon freshwater tank (48x13x19) (contemplating just picking up a 55 gallon 48x13x21 for the extra water volume...)
african cichlids
decorative gravel (no other substrate)
Rena XP3 filter
PH is a stable 7.5 (I know, not the ultimate for cichlids, but seems to work for good for my fish)
Light is (2) all-glass24 inch 18W bulbs which I think I bought with the tank.
The black plastic pieces with the doors to pull up for feeding is what the lights currently sit on.
In addition to improving aesthetics (general color of light in the tank) I am planning to plant a few of Java ferns, annubias, and possibly other plants that can survive my little predators. I have kept my plastic garden alive and looking good so now ready to up the challenge.
I have spent many, many, too many, hours reviewing various forum searches and am pretty up to speed in regards to the types of lighting available, bulb colors/ratings, par ratings, problems with too much light, CO2 injection, etc.
I have determined that likely a low wattage pc or T5 is likely where I am going (no CO2, minimize algae, size) - contenders are:
Coralife 130W Power Compact:
48" 2x65W Coralife FRESHWATER Aqualight Hood, 2x 6,700K Lamps* - AquaCave
Current USA 130W Power Compact:
48" 2x65W Satellite PC Fixture by Current USA* - AquaCave
Current USA T5 108W
48 inch Current USA Nova Extreme 2x54 watt T5 HO 10K/Freshwater (Freshwater Aquarium Supplies > Lighting > Fixtures > T5 Lighting )
What I don't see discussed much heat production occurs in regards to these lights. A couple of those have a built in fan, some don't. I would prefer to place the light across my current spread (the black covers with the plastic windows) but am worried about heat. I can always pick up the plain glass covers however I have read a few (I am guessing very isolated) stories about glass covers that cracked / fell into the tank relative to heat.
I am curious with the wattage / heat production of these bulbs - is one better than the other. T5's are supposed to run cooler, but this one shows it has a fan. In this config is a PC better than a T5?
If possible, I would like to avoid products with fans (due to noise) - example, the aqualight says it can be laid on the glass canopy. Do I have to use the mounting hinges I see on other products or are those optional? I want to keep my top of my tank as low profile as well as dark as possible. (not having light elsewhere beyond what is in the tank itself)
So what have you experienced in regards to these type of lights?
Thanks so much!
Nice forum, finally writing instead of hanging out in the shadows.
Appreciate any commentary you can provide
Okay, background is:
50 long gallon freshwater tank (48x13x19) (contemplating just picking up a 55 gallon 48x13x21 for the extra water volume...)
african cichlids
decorative gravel (no other substrate)
Rena XP3 filter
PH is a stable 7.5 (I know, not the ultimate for cichlids, but seems to work for good for my fish)
Light is (2) all-glass24 inch 18W bulbs which I think I bought with the tank.
The black plastic pieces with the doors to pull up for feeding is what the lights currently sit on.
In addition to improving aesthetics (general color of light in the tank) I am planning to plant a few of Java ferns, annubias, and possibly other plants that can survive my little predators. I have kept my plastic garden alive and looking good so now ready to up the challenge.
I have spent many, many, too many, hours reviewing various forum searches and am pretty up to speed in regards to the types of lighting available, bulb colors/ratings, par ratings, problems with too much light, CO2 injection, etc.
I have determined that likely a low wattage pc or T5 is likely where I am going (no CO2, minimize algae, size) - contenders are:
Coralife 130W Power Compact:
48" 2x65W Coralife FRESHWATER Aqualight Hood, 2x 6,700K Lamps* - AquaCave
Current USA 130W Power Compact:
48" 2x65W Satellite PC Fixture by Current USA* - AquaCave
Current USA T5 108W
48 inch Current USA Nova Extreme 2x54 watt T5 HO 10K/Freshwater (Freshwater Aquarium Supplies > Lighting > Fixtures > T5 Lighting )
What I don't see discussed much heat production occurs in regards to these lights. A couple of those have a built in fan, some don't. I would prefer to place the light across my current spread (the black covers with the plastic windows) but am worried about heat. I can always pick up the plain glass covers however I have read a few (I am guessing very isolated) stories about glass covers that cracked / fell into the tank relative to heat.
I am curious with the wattage / heat production of these bulbs - is one better than the other. T5's are supposed to run cooler, but this one shows it has a fan. In this config is a PC better than a T5?
If possible, I would like to avoid products with fans (due to noise) - example, the aqualight says it can be laid on the glass canopy. Do I have to use the mounting hinges I see on other products or are those optional? I want to keep my top of my tank as low profile as well as dark as possible. (not having light elsewhere beyond what is in the tank itself)
So what have you experienced in regards to these type of lights?
Thanks so much!