FL Lighting...

[wolfie]

Hi all...

I'm planning to get either PL / FL lights for my 2 footer reef tank. Coz no space to hang MH unless some bro out there got idea to stack up the MH on my tank... Ani brands 2 suggest? Izzit if I wanna get PL / FL, any type of casin' wil do... And the onli difference is in the lamps izzit? And for bonus, can some bro explain the electric jargons of lightings to a very sotong me pls? Thanks pple!

[Sinn]

for a start,

read this forum....

ian gave a good site to give u a brief idea

lighting

after that ,

read this

diy pl lights

if still dont understand...

i think the other guys can help ya out, i dare not advice...

[Tanzy]

If you get a wooden skirting for the top of the tank, you can rest a MH pendant on top of it.

[TanGo]

If you have too much money and dunno where to spend.. Can check out this website..

Hamilton

[Norvin Ng]

If cost is a consideration, I saw Nature Aquarium has a full set 2 feet PL (nice alum casing with 2 switch). I think it will be around 80-90 bucks for a 10k white and a blue PL with a 2x36W e-ballast. Problem is - he has no stock for the 10k now. I think PL is generally preferred to FL - greater intensity.

[Sinn]

so cheap ?

[wolfie]

wow... ok... wat's the diff between FL & PL? Wat's the "long-form" for the both names?

Tanzy: wat do u mean by wooden skirting? dun quite get u... I tot pendant oso hang frm ceiling?

Norvin: Hw much is the casin' for the PL?

Is there a generic casing which can use both for PL & FL? Or izzit PL got PL casin'... And FL got FL casing?

[Ian]

On the topic of lightings,

***Wooden Hooded tanks - or wodden skirting:-

Pendant MH Lights are about 8 -12 inch above water.

FL blue 03s few inches above water.

***Branded lighting system for example dupla(looks like space ship):-

All same level. 8 - 10 inch above level.

wont the branded light system have less 03 blue since it is higher?

would it mean that there is not enough 03 blue?

Or is that ok?

[Tanzy]

The wooden skirting is a 4" to 8" border on top of the glass tank that is not a full hood but has an open top. If a brace is incoporated, you can rest the MH pendant on top of it.

[wolfie]

thanks tanzy... I aga aga get wat u mean... Goin' to Sim Lim and Nature to check out the lights stuff... Finkin' of DIY-ing either a MH or PL... any extra advise on that?

[Sinn]

not to turn ya off but MH is pretty Expensive...

and u need a chiller cause it can get pretty hot...

[Sinn]

" If cost is a consideration, I saw Nature Aquarium has a full set 2 feet PL (nice alum casing with 2 switch). I think it will be around 80-90 bucks for a 10k white and a blue PL with a 2x36W e-ballast"

i asked the guy from nature if 2 X 36W ballast cud be used to control 2 different bulbs individually, he said no...

and then i asked my brother to be double sure,

he also said no...

the guy from nature told me that if i wanted to control 2 bulbs independently... i need to get 2 of the 1 X 36W...

could someone pls verify this?

[Norvin Ng]

I think Sinn also confirmed that a two feet PL plus casing is around 80-90 bucks.

I DIYed mine as I too thought it will be much more $$$. Will be buying from Nature once my current DIY hood (combination of FL and PL) goes through a bit more "depreciation".

For the FL, you can actually buy standard Fl casing from any lighting shops and ask them to install the correct ballast for you. 2 feet is about S$9.50 each - casing, starter, iron ballast. Bough a alum reflector and modified it to fit my lights.

Some pics of my cheapskate light holder.

With Lights Off:

[Norvin Ng]

When its on :

[wolfie]

wah... I oso wan 2 DIY s/t like urs Norvin...

can u tell me the specs for each of ur tubes? hw abt the switches for each individual light? hw u do it? or did u not do it? wat's the name of the center bulb?

[Tanzy]

The center bulb is a PL. The one on the left is a T8 FL and the one on the right is a T12 FL.

[wolfie]

Forgive me for being such a gundo... So do I go down 2 nature and say, "Uncle, where are ur T8 & T12s?" I read somewhere they say abt 6-10 watt per gallon. Wat r ur views? I kinda like Norvin's idea... U fink I can copy it for my 2 footer?

[Tanzy]

I believe Nature, dealing with so much lighting should understand youo. T8 and T12 stands for the tube diameter. The blue FL is an actinic, it comes in both T8 and T12. The whiter FL looks like a 10000K, likewise, also comes in T8 and T12 sizes. Wattage is the same regardless of tube diameter between the two, only length determines wattage.

For a 2', you will be looking at 18-20W FL and 36W PL. Squeezing a bit you can get a total of 72W over 20gal of water using the same configuration as Norvin. Good enough to keep softies and some LPS. 10 watt/gal will require a 175W or 250W MH!

[wolfie]

"10 watt/gal will require a 175W or 250W MH" precisely! like tt every marine hobbist wil go broke man! T8 & T12 are the 'sizes'... Wat's the diff? And where to get the alum reflector?

[Tanzy]

T8 are suppose to be brighter than T12 but I've yet to come across real numbers from measurements. T12 tubes for aquarium use are usually Coralife brand which are more expensive.

[wolfie]

so in short buy T8 beta ar? coz cheaper, and brighter?

[Norvin Ng]

Hi Wolfie

Just logged on but Tanzy has answered most of yr queries (thanks Tanzy!)

Tanzy, PL is supposed to be brighter and longer-lasting than FL right?

My T8 is only 18W (Classica Blue), T12 is 36W (Coralife 20K) and PL is 36W 10K from Aqualux. My next DIY will be 3 x 36W (2 10K and one Acti-Blue). Think this will be enough for softies and some LPS.

I think Nature's 2 feet PL set with 2 lights may be the best "budget-friendly" so far.

[wolfie]

Okie... Thanx 4 the info! U gonna DIY again? Eh... I oso thinkin' of DIY... Can DIY together?

[anakjoh]

Hi Norvin, I must say that was very beautiful DIY stuff - I notice u had sockets on the hood, doesn't that get wet/sticky from the evaporation?

[Norvin Ng]

Hi Wolfie

Will not be DIYing so soon as i need my FLs to "depreciate" first before setting up the new 3 x 36W PL lights. But let me know if you need any help with more info.

Hi Anakjoh

So far no problems with the sockets becoming sticky etc and its been about 4 months since this was set up. But do check regularly that the plugs don't get loose and the whole thing decides to go swimming!