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125g Discus Tank Lighting - Questions & Answers

Discussion in 'Discus' started by LemonDiscus, Sep 24, 2008.

  1. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Thread Starter Active Member

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    Lighting Questions
    Ok, I am working into the final stages of planning my 125 gallon tank hood.

    I have some questions with lighting as this is not my expertise.

    First off I have read a few things and heard from others that T5 bulbs are self-ballast. Is this true and does it mean that I do not need to run a ballast?

    Here is my plan for lighting:
    I want 4 - 4' tubes with 2 more to the left and 2 more to the right kind of like this diagram

    I-----------------------------------I
    `````````````` I-----------------------------------I
    I-----------------------------------I
    `````````````` I-----------------------------------I

    I was going to place this lighting onto 1 toggle switch. I do have other things I want to add for lighting but this covers how I want to start. What do I REALLY need to do this for as cheap as I can?
     
    LemonDiscus, Sep 24, 2008
    #1
  2. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Re: Lighting Questions

    I like the lighting design. From what I know T5s are self ballast bulbs. Other than that I'm sorry to say I cannot help.
     
    Anthony, Sep 24, 2008
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  3. trajik ink

    trajik ink New Member

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    Re: Lighting Questions

    i would go with 3x150 mh hqi's 10,000k and 2 actinic t5's for a 125, that way you can get any type of corals and get the most growth out of them.....you'll be selling frags by the time you know it.......one thing that you don't want to do with a reef tank is skimp out on the lighting.......i currently have 2x150 hqi's 14,000k and see a difference in growth on my corals....and i'm working an a deal for a hood that has 2x250 hqi's and t5 actinics...i can't wait!!
    anyway the diagram example would be more like this with my suggestion.....

    t5 (---------------------------------)
    hqi (----) (----) (----)
    t5 (---------------------------------)

    it's an expensive setup but it would be so worth it.........and if your not in a hurry you won't have to drop all the money at once....
     
    trajik ink, Sep 24, 2008
    #3
  4. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Thread Starter Active Member

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    Re: Lighting Questions

    This is actually not for a reef but for a planted Discus Aquarium. (Freshwater) so I really dont need a lot of light but I do want to bring my lighting level up a bit.
     
    LemonDiscus, Sep 24, 2008
    #4
  5. trajik ink

    trajik ink New Member

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    Re: Lighting Questions

    my bad....in that case the t5's would be great!!! your basically on the right track.....now it's all about finding them cheap.... ;)
     
    trajik ink, Sep 24, 2008
    #5
  6. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Thread Starter Active Member

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    Re: Lighting Questions

    Do I need a ballast with T5's though. They do say that a T5 is a smaller tube that has an internal ballast and if I do not plan on having a dimmer, is the ballast still needed?

    I know NOTHING about lights really.

    My other option if I do need a ballast is to buy 2 2x48" light fixtures and disassemble them from the fixture and reassemble them to my hood without the metal casing (shop/utility light strip)
     
    LemonDiscus, Sep 24, 2008
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  7. trajik ink

    trajik ink New Member

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    trajik ink, Sep 24, 2008
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  8. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Thread Starter Active Member

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    Re: Lighting Questions

    Wow, I have seen those prices.

    I actually was talking about going to Lowes and buying 2 2x48" shop light fixtures ($20 or so).

    I guess if I did that I would have to run the good ole t8 and t12 bulbs. That would work for me too.

    I would only want to do the t5 if I can do it without a ballast as the bulbs cost significantly more. I actually have the room to keep 5-6 t12's under my hood with my plan. I really dont want to do 5 or 6 as I have other things I want to add to the lighting in the hood. I plan on 4 fluorescent bulbs.

    BTW - I do understand electrics and woodworking, so the lighting is going to be in a box that I have planned to make with plexi-glass sealing the electronics away from the moisture.
     
    LemonDiscus, Sep 24, 2008
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  9. noshow discus

    noshow discus New Member

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    Re: Lighting Questions

    yes you need a ballast we installed some T5 at deeprun with the understanding that you didnt need ballast but come to find out that you do its just smaller and cost alot more.
     
    noshow discus, Sep 24, 2008
    #9
  10. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Thread Starter Active Member

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    Re: Lighting Questions


    Go figure... well T8 with a shop light we go!
     
    LemonDiscus, Sep 24, 2008
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  11. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Thread Starter Active Member

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    Bulb question

    Bulb question
    Where do I get a 10K bulb, 48", 32 watt T8....

    My ballasts go nuts with anything that is higher wattage. My ballasts dont fully illuminate my 40 watt t12 bulbs.... they kind of are dim compared to the 32 watts.

    I keep seeing the bulbs in T12 and T5... but no T8's unless they are 24"
     
    LemonDiscus, Jan 26, 2009
    #11
  12. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Anthony, Jan 26, 2009
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  13. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Thread Starter Active Member

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    Re: Bulb question

    It should work if it is SO and not HO or VHO... I did not see HO or VHO on the listing... I would assume it is SO

    Thanks
     
    LemonDiscus, Jan 26, 2009
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  14. ira

    ira Member

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    Re: Bulb question

    Lowes,Home depo
     
    ira, Jan 27, 2009
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  15. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Thread Starter Active Member

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    Re: Bulb question

    I never saw any 10K bulbs there. They have the 6700 but not the 10K's unless I missed them :confused:
     
    LemonDiscus, Jan 27, 2009
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  16. ira

    ira Member

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    Re: Bulb question

    they T8 32watt
     
    ira, Jan 27, 2009
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  17. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Thread Starter Active Member

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    Re: Bulb question

    I know they have t8 32 watts cause I get my 6700s from there.... just never seen the 10K color.... I dont think they have those
     
    LemonDiscus, Jan 27, 2009
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  18. ira

    ira Member

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    Re: Bulb question

    Do not know. I think they had t8 plant light . I use cool white to grow plants
     
    ira, Jan 27, 2009
    #18