Aquarium lighting What brand??

[Flip03]

Hi all, Im currently in the process of buying products to set up my tank for a fully planted discus tank. My tank is a 4 foot ripoff Aquaone tank that is around 315l, she's running 3 tubes 900mm long.

So I was thinking about how much lighting I would need then I thought what is a good brand to use I really want to use the best in this tank with no expense spared.

I was reading my new copy of Aquarium Keeper Australia and seen the zoo med advert, so I did a little research on them and they have great reviews but then which type of globes or combos do I choose, if anyone can help me with my delemers I woud be very greatful as I cant stop thinking about this till I have a solution.

Thanks in advance :)

[ILLUSN]

If you want good light mate, you'll need more then 3 t8 tubes. if your going hi tech high expense with full co2 and substrate heating plated substrate etc etc etc aim for bout 200-300w of light (your 3 tubes are 30w each =90w) I like HO T5's but CF's are also very good (most are a t5 bent into a U shape) which ever you get make sure they have individual parrabolic reflectors (as in 1 per tube). halides look fantasic just make sure you go for 6500k bulbs. all of this means replacing your existing hood. if you want to keep it try 2 sylvania growlux tubes (get from a hydroponics store) and maybe a hagen lifeglo2 for good CRI (tank will still have a slight pink tinge). but with this kind of light stick to low light plants such as javafern, java moss, anuabis (dont get marbled nana it will loose its color), bolbitus, low light swords (bleheri and ozolet green), hydrophilla spp and crypts.

hope this helps

[fish_r]

it really depends on what type of plants u want to grow and if u want to use Co2 or not, if u go too high in lighting u will need Co2 or u will just continually struggle with algae. i wouldnt really recomend DIY co2 with discus cause u get too much of a pH swing all the time unless ur running at least a cpl of blottles and changing one every week or two...
i would go T5's but u might need Co2 if u go too high...

[Flip03]

Thanks for your replys. Yes the plan is to run co2 and a heat coil under the substrate.
I have done a little reserch and I think a little DIY is in order for my hood, I think i can squeeze a bank of 4 t5 globes in my hood if i gut the hood and do a little cut and paste, it may just be possible this will give me just over 200w of light.
So with this level of light what sort of plants do you think i can grow??? This will get me out of the low level light plants i assume. I was also concerned that to much light will upset discus will this level of light be a problem ???

If you have any more helpful hints all info is being taken on board :)

[ILLUSN]

200w is very goos with that you can grow all thypes of swords, tiger lotus, rotala spp etc etc you just may not get good growth of glosso or dense growth of E.tenticalis (carpet growing plants).

[fish_r]

i would think with about 4.2 wpg which is roughly what u will have u can grow just about anything especially with pressurissed Co2. and remember the wpg rule will be even higher with T5 lighting.
just start doing some researching on ferts cause u will need to get it right or u will struggle with algae with that amount of lighting if u dont get the ballance right.
here is a good place with info on ferts growing plants etc
http://www.aquariumlife.com.au/
and here's a link on plants, u will be in the med/high lighting bracket
http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_list.php?category=1&filter_by=5
HTH
Rob...

[Scotty Bils]

I have 4 T5 high output tubes in an Arcadia "Overtank Luminaire". Thats what they call it!

http://www.arcadia-uk.info/product.php?pid=3&mid=10&lan=en&sub=&id=4

It is a sweet as looking light. Not only does it look great but the plants love it. No trouble growing Red Tiger Lotus. Could not have been happier.

I have a Dupla Thermik which is my heating cable. it works well.

Good luck with that! Let s know what you choose!

[fish_r]

tiger lotus isnt as hard to grow as a lot of people think, theres a pic of one of mine in the classifieds section which was grown under 3 x 40w T8 fluoros in a 4 x 18 x 20 tank. the leaves are bigger than my hand...