I'd like to get some lighting for a topless 3 foot long tank. Preferably low energy - so maybe LED? The plants will be mostly simple low light plants. Any ideas of what would be most suitable. I don't want to spend a huge amount on it if possible as it's only for a clearseal.
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Led lighting for a 3 foot tank
- Thread starter Tknoxx
- Start date
Would a single T5 not be enough?
3ft is 39w so ok on the low energy, depending on how low you were thinking of obviously. It's also a lot cheaper than going down the LED route. Even cheaper if you pick a second hand ballast up and a generic T5 bulb.
Seen as though its topless you'll need a reflector, or if you want it to look half decent, I've seen single luminaries available.
3ft is 39w so ok on the low energy, depending on how low you were thinking of obviously. It's also a lot cheaper than going down the LED route. Even cheaper if you pick a second hand ballast up and a generic T5 bulb.
Seen as though its topless you'll need a reflector, or if you want it to look half decent, I've seen single luminaries available.
Lindy
Member
A beamswork unit is probably the cheapest led option. TMC Aquabars give a nicer colour though and can be dimmed.
Thanks for the information. I know very little about lighting so this is a silly question but I have to learn somehow. Whats the best way to use t5 lighting for a topless tank?
The beamswork unit looks like it is very close to the tank... and is very strong so a t5 maybe the best idea.
The beamswork unit looks like it is very close to the tank... and is very strong so a t5 maybe the best idea.
It depends really, is this for a display tank or a little project in a spare room for example?
You threw me by saying "its only a clearseal" I took it as you not being bothered about looks and it was hid away or something lol
If this is the case all you will need is a T5 ballast, a bulb and reflector. You'll need some way to mount it too.
If you want it to look half decent you're going to need a luminaire or pendant type thing. These are available with just one T5 bulb, I personally haven't come across a lot on my travels but they do exist. Having a search around google or eBay would probably be your best bet.
Failing that, 2 x T5 pendants are pretty common so you could go with that and just run 1 bulb if 2 proved to be too much.
You threw me by saying "its only a clearseal" I took it as you not being bothered about looks and it was hid away or something lol
If this is the case all you will need is a T5 ballast, a bulb and reflector. You'll need some way to mount it too.
If you want it to look half decent you're going to need a luminaire or pendant type thing. These are available with just one T5 bulb, I personally haven't come across a lot on my travels but they do exist. Having a search around google or eBay would probably be your best bet.
Failing that, 2 x T5 pendants are pretty common so you could go with that and just run 1 bulb if 2 proved to be too much.
It's just for a clearseal as I live on an island as big tanks are hard to come by. I don't mind the looks too much though.
Initially I was thinking something like an LED strip like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-STOCK-...1?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item1e8b2da15b
would this be suitable for a low light set up?
I am not sure I'd be able to get a luminaire posted here for a reasonable price.
Initially I was thinking something like an LED strip like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-STOCK-...1?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item1e8b2da15b
would this be suitable for a low light set up?
I am not sure I'd be able to get a luminaire posted here for a reasonable price.
Ah I see, sounds very exotic 
Where exactly if you don't mind me asking?
If you look at his other things you can get just a white one with no blue http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=121241246852
I haven't personally used one like that so not sure if it's any good really, but cheap enough to try out I suppose.
Where exactly if you don't mind me asking?If you look at his other things you can get just a white one with no blue http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=121241246852
I haven't personally used one like that so not sure if it's any good really, but cheap enough to try out I suppose.
lol Still very beautiful 
How far from the coast are you? I'd be setting a reef up as well if you're not too far. You have an endless supply of clean sea water
Obviously this is as well as the planted tank, I wouldn't want to get told off for losing UKAPS a member
How far from the coast are you? I'd be setting a reef up as well if you're not too far. You have an endless supply of clean sea water
Obviously this is as well as the planted tank, I wouldn't want to get told off for losing UKAPS a member
Claire
Member
I have one of these lights on my 3 foot. There are 3 t5s inside, but you can switch to have the middle 1 on, outside 2 on or all 3. That would allow you to run the 1 tube for low tech and then you have the option of putting the other tubes on if you ever wanted to run high tech. It's really not a lot more expensive either than buying a starter unit and bulb, and then is neater as it's all in one unit and you don't need to think about mounting, reflectors etc.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261280849...eName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261280849...eName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
Lindy
Member
I don't think the led strip you linked to would do, i tried something similar on my 30cm cube and it was a joke. You can get the beamswork in single or double strength and if you can hang it from something then you can vary the height if you need to. I have the single strength on my shrimp tank. I think the light Claire has linked to is your best option for flexibility.
Claire
Member
There's a few different people sell the same one, if you search for aquarium overhead light or something.
