plakat Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 hi there, i'm very new to this reef keeping hobby, having only some experience in keeping freshwater fishes. I've done my research for the past few weeks tru this wonderful forum, however i'm still quite stumbled regarding which lighting would be suitable for me. i'm currently setting up a 2x1x1 tank with some soft corals and LPS. Am i right to say that a 2 tubes of 36W actinic & Daylight FL light is suitable for my current setup? BTW wat is PL lights? and would it be better for me to use them? or what would be a better solution for me? thanks alot for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Maxstar81 Posted January 5, 2006 SRC Member Share Posted January 5, 2006 Welcome to the nano club (2ft tank)! 2 ft nia. Get T5 HO (tube size 5, high ouotput). Our sponsors got sell. (click on my link for DIY example) Height of 1ft a little short but up 2 personal preference lah. Do be patient with water cycling! Hope 2 see ur pics on the members tank thread soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plakat Posted January 5, 2006 Author Share Posted January 5, 2006 hi there, from what i understand T5 HO lights are more expensive then FL/PL lights rite? since i'm on a budget i'll probably give it a miss. oh yeap! thanks for the help though think i'm too lost to understand...1 more question MH is metal halide, FL is Fluro light. but what does PL mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Sotong Posted January 5, 2006 SRC Member Share Posted January 5, 2006 hi there, from what i understand T5 HO lights are more expensive then FL/PL lights rite? since i'm on a budget i'll probably give it a miss. oh yeap! thanks for the help though think i'm too lost to understand...1 more question MH is metal halide, FL is Fluro light. but what does PL mean? Hi plakat I've changed from FL to T5 HO. Infact, FL is more expensive in my experience. A tube cost about $40-$45 for white light & actinic... & that will be $90 to change lights every 6mths. T5 tube ranges from $12 - $40 depending on your need... Can explore AquaMarine on T5 set. $98 for a 2ft 2 tubes lightset. Good buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plakat Posted January 5, 2006 Author Share Posted January 5, 2006 thanks for the insight on the T5 tubes..but i was wondering would PL light be better for my application? since i'm using a shallow 1 ft tank + 2-3inch SB and budget would be my main piority(NSF here). 1 more thing to ask would 2x 36w be sufficient for my tank? maybe if really cannot then i got to up my budget get a T5 tube like bro sotong reccomend.. read up on all the impt stuff liao like initial cycling phase and filtration...now left lighting very confused!help pls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member c0ol Posted January 5, 2006 SRC Member Share Posted January 5, 2006 thanks for the insight on the T5 tubes..but i was wondering would PL light be better for my application? since i'm using a shallow 1 ft tank + 2-3inch SB and budget would be my main piority(NSF here). 1 more thing to ask would 2x 36w be sufficient for my tank? maybe if really cannot then i got to up my budget get a T5 tube like bro sotong reccomend.. read up on all the impt stuff liao like initial cycling phase and filtration...now left lighting very confused!help pls! For your tank i think using PL can be sufficent,but if you got the budget get the T5s..worth the money.. My 2 cents Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueheaven Posted January 5, 2006 Share Posted January 5, 2006 PL IMO are not worth it in the long run The initial cost of the set might be low but the tubes are really expensive I'll go for T5s Quote But if you tame me, we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world... You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed. -Antoine de Saint-Exupery Keep our hobby sustainable, participate in fragging NOW CHAETO Farmer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plakat Posted January 5, 2006 Author Share Posted January 5, 2006 wah...everyone all reccomend T5 making me gian liao....errrmmm btw anyone can give me a rough gauge on the price of 2X36w PL lights(1daylight,1actinic). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammy Posted January 7, 2006 Share Posted January 7, 2006 hi there, from what i understand T5 HO lights are more expensive then FL/PL lights rite? since i'm on a budget i'll probably give it a miss. oh yeap! thanks for the help though think i'm too lost to understand...1 more question MH is metal halide, FL is Fluro light. but what does PL mean? PL or sometimes PLC is compact light . stronger than FL in term of penetration power . of course it give out lotsa heat . if u wanna use PL for LPS , i would recommand 2 x 55 watts PL for a 2 feet , however wtch out for heating problem. it cost around 150 dollars for this set up . the best for 2 feet is still T5 HO , and it range from 98 - 198 dollars . T5 is so much cooler and the maintainance is cheaper option since T5 tubes are more readily available now due to the market demand. T5 HO has higher penetration power and will be suitable for 2 feet set up . the above option still need a fan for a reef to thrieve. unless u wanna spend money on a chiller , MH is not suitable for nano. Quote 2x1.5x1.5 tank Lighting: AI hydra 52HD Skimmer: Deltec SC 1455 Reactor: Minimax; rowaphos Skimz ; NP biopellets Wave Maker: MP 40 WQD Return pump: Eheim 1262 Chiller: Arctica 1/10 hp A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel -- Proverbs 12:10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plakat Posted January 7, 2006 Author Share Posted January 7, 2006 thanks alot guys...have since bought a T5HO from AQUAMARIN plus some other gadgets..currently tank up and cycling. will post some pics of my humble tank in the future Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plakat Posted January 8, 2006 Author Share Posted January 8, 2006 was wondering...i have 2 T5 bulbs in my casing with only 1 switch. is it possible for me to on only 1 light at a time without bulb removal tru means of modification?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member godzillaliu88 Posted January 8, 2006 SRC Member Share Posted January 8, 2006 i've read tru the thread. theres PL(compact light) OH(high output). wad abt NO?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plakat Posted January 9, 2006 Author Share Posted January 9, 2006 was wondering...i have 2 T5 bulbs in my casing with only 1 switch. is it possible for me to on only 1 light at a time without bulb removal tru means of modification?? anyone can shed light on this? anyway NO is normal output, VHO is very high output. pls correct me if i'm wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Maxstar81 Posted January 9, 2006 SRC Member Share Posted January 9, 2006 is it possible for me to on only 1 light at a time U need to buy 1 more eballast & DIY a bit loh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Clownfish Posted January 9, 2006 SRC Member Share Posted January 9, 2006 anyone can shed light on this? anyway NO is normal output, VHO is very high output. pls correct me if i'm wrong not possible... usually they use 1 ballast which lights up 2 tubes at once... if u remove 1 of the tube or 1 of the tube fuses, ur light will not light up anymore Quote My Personal Blog My Wedding Website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elimmel Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 i've read tru the thread. theres PL(compact light) OH(high output). wad abt NO?? read that HO PL tubes will be out soon? anyone have any idea when or from which manufacturer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member laona Posted January 10, 2006 SRC Member Share Posted January 10, 2006 hi guys... jus wanna double check...cos i diy my own t5 HOs..got a used pl light frm a fellow reefer n retrofitted it to a t5 HO..but can only support 1 tube...atinic blue...now e-ballast blow liao.. lookin for replacement e-ballast.. heard that if one of e tube nt inserted in or one of e fuse nt connect...a 2 tube e-ballast won't work?? can some bro shed some light? cos i think nowadays hard to find 1 tube e-ballast..sigh...btw...any bros got spare 24w e-ballast lying ard nt dun mind sellin off?? thanks..hahaha.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plakat Posted January 10, 2006 Author Share Posted January 10, 2006 not possible... usually they use 1 ballast which lights up 2 tubes at once... if u remove 1 of the tube or 1 of the tube fuses, ur light will not light up anymore well actually...it can be done, i'm now running it with only the blue tube(temp) but i wonder will it like cause it to fuse over an extended period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.