Just how much does 125g tank need?

[mikev]

I'm a bit lost on what kind of light I need.

The tank is 125g intended for Botias, the idea is to have some plants, nothing very fancy (swords, Java Fern).

The options I see now are:
1. Two 36" single light strip -- probably insufficient?
2. Two 36" double light strips
3. Two 30" double light strips (provides a darker corner for the loaches,
incidentally also much cheaper than 2.)
4. One 48" triple light strip (provides an even larger darker corner).

The answers on what is right seems to depend on what different stores have in stock.

I actually don't have an idea, I did not go beyond 29g on planted tanks..yet

What do the owners of planted 125g tanks really use?

TIA

[Mad Duff]

Personally I would go with option 3, partly because its cheaper and I'm a tight wad but it gives you pretty much everything needed. You will have the darker area for the loaches, a good strength of light for the Amazons and the Java fern will grow pretty much anywhere incuding the darker areas.

[wasserscheu]

Hi Mike,

... am also in the planning phase of a larger Tank and love plants as well as loaches...

I have decided for such kind of "lamp-set" and will built the tank-"lid" myself...


this links provide details:

http://www.arcadia-uk.info/product.php? ... &sub=&id=4

http://www.arcadia-uk.info/product.php? ... &sub=&id=4

I will chose T5, rather than T8. T5 is used in tank hight above 20" and uses less energy than T8. T5 diameter is thinner than T8

per example Osram has an electronic Controller that makes it possible to use different Watt-lamps of same lenght ... I think, called QTI (?)... this link may be not the very right one (I will be glad to check more detailed if you are interested...)

http://www.osram.com/pdf/ecg_spot/pdf/2004_01.pdf


lenght of light, amount of lamps:

may plan for a 2feet x 2 x 6.5 tank:
I will get (current plan only) 1 set as picture above (2 light "pipes" one controller) in the length of approx. 59" (that allows either 54watt or 80 Watt, I will go for 2x80 Watt (but German 220V,).
That Leaves about 10" on left & right with no light. I´ll keep the 2 lamps a little of center to the rear.
...will put hiding places in front and sides (dark zones). Dark zones will be covered with "Tiger-Lotus"-red floating leaves to give shelter feeling for my sweet ones...

... also plan "double bottom". Only approx 1/4 of floor-space will have substrate on glas floor, for my high growing plants. The dark-zones will have just 1" good-digging substrate for loaches and cat´s. the dark zone will be entrance-area to caves (approx min 1/2 of floor space). the caves will be built BELOW the substare for not so high growing plants. there will be two levels so to say, loaches can pick according to there mood... that way, lower growing plants are closer to light source...

I am also thinking of using perforated sheets for the "ceiling" of the caves (= bottom for substrate for plants) and cover the holes with some fleece, to allow some "circulation" for plant roots. Even the area for the big plants may get a little space below the roots for "worm-like" loaches (will see...)

enjoy this phase of getting a new tank... you will be ready faster than my, I estimate X-mas or even a few month later for mine (need to built space first)

Wolfram
PS: perhaps I design some "moonlight" with LED (battery) mounted on the rear glass (outside the tank) to "sneak up" on them, when they are hiding in the "basement"...

[Mad Duff]

I have a twin 4' T5 kit on my Clown Loach tank which is over 2' deep, I have had to replace the front white tube with a blue tube to try and dim the amount of light down a bit because with the 2 white tubes it was unbelievable how bright it was, I have still had to put a fair quantity of duckweed in as well to diffuse the light further still. The one thing I dont like about the T5 compared to the T8 lights is the ammount of heat they kick off, I have actually burned my arms twice by accident when working in the tank the heat that comes off them is unreal.

[NancyD]

Have you checked out ahsupply Mike? They're recommended on several plant forums for compact fluorescent retro fit kits if you do DIY, good reflectors & less $$ that fit into most strip housing. I'm trying to be brave enough to do it, they say it's easy.
Nancy

[shari2]

I did it for my little 10g qtank. Not too bad. If I can do it anybody can.

[NancyD]

Thanks Shari, just jolted myself last week during DIY so I'm a little shy. (note to self: ALWAYS turn off ALL power, never assume about wiring)
Nancy

[mikev]

Thanks a lot for comments.

I went with Mad Duff's approach.

DIY is not for me right now...DWI I can yet manage, not DIY.

One step closer to the goal...

[wasserscheu]

Thank´s "Mad Duff" for the experience report. I will follow up on that. The catalogs from Osram were talking about much lower heat emission with the new electronic controllers than T8. perhaps that is meant for the transformer replacement, does any considerable amount come from the light-pipes themselfs?
I was curios about how T5 works, everybody in Aqu. clubs tells me with 2' hight I need T5, T8 were not sufficient... BUT I am not willing to have my plants "explode" and need gardening twice week... even though its good for the water ...

I will try a DIY set, but could not find any at a mayor electronic store...

Mike, help a German out DWI ... what does that stand for? I need some smart vocabulary, for meetings with US... thanks

[Mad Duff]

Thank´s "Mad Duff" for the experience report. I will follow up on that. The catalogs from Osram were talking about much lower heat emission with the new electronic controllers than T8. perhaps that is meant for the transformer replacement, does any considerable amount come from the light-pipes themselfs?
I was curios about how T5 works, everybody in Aqu. clubs tells me with 2' hight I need T5, T8 were not sufficient... BUT I am not willing to have my plants "explode" and need gardening twice week... even though its good for the water ...

I will try a DIY set, but could not find any at a mayor electronic store...

Mike, help a German out DWI ... what does that stand for? I need some smart vocabulary, for meetings with US... thanks

I have T8 fittings on all my other tanks including another one that is 2' deep and to be honest I find that the java fern, vallis and anubias etc grow equally well if not better than in the tank fitted with the twin T5 unit. The controller unit on the T5 does not get as hot as the starter units on the T8's but the actual tubes on the T5 unit get unbelievably hot, like I said previously I have actually burned my arm on the tube a couple of times.

The only reason the T5 unit is on my clown tank is because it was already fitted to the tank when I bought it but I am seriously considering replacing it at some point.

[shari2]

DWI='Driving While Intoxicated'
...another acronym for the same offense is:
DUI='Driving Under the Influence' (of alcohol)

Depending on which state in the US you reside they will use one or the other term when they pull you over, do a breatholyzer test, and determine that you have been drinking before driving (or while driving). If your test comes back too high, you get a ticket, and a fine (usually a large one) and could lose your driver's license.

hth

[wasserscheu]

thanks for vocabulary ... I love it!

"Mad Duff", thanks for providing such sound detail. heat will be an issue with my tank, as I will built a top-housing for plants growing out of the water, which will be closed. In the summer I would get a real problem...
I will rather count on raising the ground level to get closer to lower-heat lights, according to your experience. It fits anyway with my plans, building caves underneath the substrate and clowns do not only get long but also get high ( I mean hight, not something like SWI ...)