5 replies to this topic

[CreatureTom]

I'm planning on setting up a terrarium and am going to use a 30 gallon fish tank, this is about 3 foot long, 1 foot wide and 16 inches high. I've been looking at these lights, although they're expensive and I think I'd have to use 4 to grow Nepenthes, some Drosera and some Heliamphora;
http://www.salehydro...e-Lamp-Kit.html

I've also been looking at these, whilst have a slightly smaller wattage output, theyre a lot cheaper so I could afford 4. Although I'm not even sure if these could be used to grow plants at all! http://www.bltdirect...ct.php?pid=1402

Could anyone tell me if these would work or point me in the direction of a good place to find suitable lights?

Thanks for any help and advice!

[Gekon]

People on different forum recommend me that http://www.urmstonaq...4tn&portrelay=1 .This light is good for Heliamphoras

[johns]

I'm not sure how much difference there is between T5 HO and T8, but make sure to use a fixture with reflectors, or much light will be wasted.
Fluorescent fixtures for aquariums can sometimes be good for growing plants as well, because they're designed with the same goal in mind, which is to direct as much light as possible downwards.

[CreatureTom]

I hadn't thought about reflectors, thanks! Would this be enough lighting? http://www.swelluk.c...667.html    Its the bottom one; Arcadia Twin T5 Lamp Starter Unit - 54w

[johns]

Unfortunately, I don't think anybody can answer that with any kind of confidence unless they've tried the same size tank with the same amount of lighting. It also depends on what you want to grow, and how tall those plants get (for low-growing plants such as sundews and butterworts, you can have the plants quite close to the tubes, decreasing the amount of lighting required).
I have a 0.6m aquarium with 2x 24W T5 HO tubes, there two tubes is a bit on the low side. The light in the middle of my tank is good enough, but it decreases sharply towards the edges, decreasing the available (good) growing space. It may be different with two 54W tubes, the only way to know is to try (a light meter is helpful).
I have the pots on a raised platform, well off the bottom of the tank (because doubling the distance means the plants receive 1/4 the light).

Another thing to keep in mind is heat, the tank may get 5-6 degrees C above ambient temperature. The most effective way that I know to reduce this is to have plexiglass between the lights and the top of the tank, in addition to a fan.

Hope this helps.

Edited by johns, 30 June 2011 - 18:40 PM.

[Binataboy]

On a tank that size you could "get away with" 2 T8 tubes, HOT5 would be nicer, but 4 would be great for high light plants :) T5 tubes are more efficient per watt than T8 and are also a higher wattage, but usualy cost more. Don't bother with low output T5...

If it was mine I would get a double 3 foot HOT5 aquarium fitting with good tubes. Back in Perth I was using arcadia T8 remote balast units with aluminium reflectors with good results, I got some very cheap through work :)

Have a look on ebay or your local aquarium supplier, remember try to get tubes designed for growing plants for better results.

Cheers
George