17 replies to this topic

[Gekon]

Hi

I know that there are 100's of lighting question's but much of them did not help me.

Currently, Im using 2x28W Nature and Colour Juwel light tubes. Unfortunatley, I've noticed that few of my ping's like P. Jaumavensis and D. Paradoxa are not enjoying that light. Therefore, I want to upgrade my terra. Im thinking about 2x45W (Nature and Colour) but Im not sure so I want to ask you guyswhat is your opinion/advice about it...

Thank you!

Edited by Gekon, 25 March 2012 - 16:56 PM.

[mobile]

If you are talking about standard linear tubes of the same type, i.e. T8,  then increasing the wattage will not increase the intensity, it will just increase the distribution. If your existing tubes already span the length of the terrarium then increasing the number of tubes would increase the intensity. Many growers do not use specialist tubes, instead they use the less expensive regular tubes such as 840 (cool white) and 865 (daylight) or 940 and 965 (higher colour rendering index).

[Gekon]

Currently Im using T5. So 2 more extra tubes (2xNature 2xColour) would change something then?

[mobile]

I've never used Juwel lights, so I can't comment on them. Personally though, I would try adding a couple of 865 or a combination of one each 840 and 865. You should be able to get 28W T5s for approximately £2.00.

http://www.trilight....49mm-28w-t5.php

[Gekon]

Thanks for the link but the size of these bubls is way too big. The ideal size of tubes to be put in my terra is 590mm. I can't find that size on their website... moreover, it would be better for me if I buy a ready light kit- tubes and the fitting.

[mobile]

So your current tubes are not linear T5?

[Gekon]

No they aren't ;) Thats my current lighting:

http://www.swelluk.c...nits-27622.html

Tubes: http://www.swelluk.c...ubes-39623.html and http://www.swelluk.c...ubes-27648.html

[snowwy]

How close are the lights? It may be the heat also. I have Juwel Rio 180 as my lowland nepenthes tank with daylight and nature tubes (T5s, 35W) and gosh they are loving it. The temperature can easily go up to 29C but they like it. Its kinda weirdo that juwel doesnt have any information of the lumes of those tubes on their website Daylight is 9000K and nature 4500K. I bought the whole mess for 35€ so Im not blaming the lights, they came with 'em.

[Gekon]

The distance between the tubes and plants in about 30cm. Hopefully in a couple of months I'll upgrade my tank to bigger one because my current tank is only 80x40x30cm.

[mobile]

Blimey, at £18 per tube they ought to be outstanding!!

[Gekon]

They are really but some plants are not quite happy of it :/

[snowwy]

30cm, okay. My plants are 50cm below the lights. T5s heat up to 35C ( and when you have 4 tubes thats...a lot of heat!)  which can damage plants it the plant is too close to it. Im suspecting that the lights are too close. You can place them farther because they are super bright and I think that the light intensity wont drop that  large number if you do so (:

Edited by snowwy, 26 March 2012 - 19:19 PM.

[Gekon]

I don't think its the tubes temp. fault. I'm putting the hand now under the light at its not very hot. Plus the heat that's being produced escapes upwards...
Snowwy- so is the aquarium top that you've got holds 4 tubes?

[snowwy]

No, only 2 tubes, but they are in aquarium :) Maybe the problem isnt the lighting but something under the media - roots. Plants can be sometimes a real pain when finding out why they are disliking their life (i know many times)  

Edited by snowwy, 26 March 2012 - 19:48 PM.

[Gekon]

Yh u might be right but- 1) would something in the media had an influence on plant's colour, 2) For example P. Jaumavensis grows in the same pot that P. ehlersiae, agnata and wesser grows and they all allright...

So if there only two tubes in the hood, why you're saying you've got 4? :)

Edited by Gekon, 26 March 2012 - 19:53 PM.

[Gekon]

I'm keep looking for a new lightning and I've found this: http://www.swelluk.c...-lamps-183.html -Arcadia OT2 Freshwater 800mm 4x24w T5. What tubes would you recommend for that then? So far I've found these:

- http://www.swelluk.c...t-pro-6738.html
- http://www.swelluk.c...-000k-6736.html

Edited by Gekon, 30 March 2012 - 16:12 PM.

[mobile]

Gekon, on 30 March 2012 - 16:12 PM, said:

I'm keep looking for a new lightning and I've found this: http://www.swelluk.c...-lamps-183.html -Arcadia OT2 Freshwater 800mm 4x24w T5. What tubes would you recommend for that then? So far I've found these:

- http://www.swelluk.c...t-pro-6738.html
- http://www.swelluk.c...-000k-6736.html

As I said above, many growers use standard cool white and daylight tubes, which are cheaper than specialist ones:

http://www.lightbulb...65-ho-daylight/

http://www.lightbulb...-ho-cool-white/

I've never bought from the above company, it was just to show that normal HO T5 are available elsewhere for a third of the price of specialist ones. Though, if you're willing to pay ~£270 for the fitting I guess the price of the tubes isn't an issue.

[Gekon]

So how about a combination of:

1x http://www.lightbulb...65-ho-daylight/
1x http://www.lightbulb...-ho-cool-white/
2x http://www.swelluk.c...t-pro-6738.html

I would put 2x of the specialist one just to make it as best as possible, if you know what I mean... ;)