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	Diagonal Plant Lights
desiredusername Enthusiast Posts: 182 Kudos: 99 Votes: 36 Registered: 26-Sep-2006	I have a 16gal cube tank that i want to make into a high tech planted tank. Unfortunately, they don't make lights that are 40cm long, and the wattage on 30cm ones is too low. Could i use a two foot fixture, which would be just slightly longer than the tank diagonally. Would it be better to have heaps of overhang and use it the conventional way, or use it diagonally?
Posted 05-Nov-2008 13:02
FRANK Moderator Posts: 5108 Kudos: 5263 Votes: 1690 Registered: 28-Dec-2002	Edited by FRANK Hi, In most of the cubes that I have seen in photographs, perhaps the most famous are those of Takashi Amano. For photography he uses large studio lighting. For regular everyday lighting, he has hanging pendant type lights that suffice for plant growth and normal viewing. http://www.adana.com.sg/productsPage/ada_lighting.html The problems with the various pendant style lights are generally heat (because most are MH), and "clunking" your head on them while performing routine maintenance. Many of these lights are HOT and many can severely burn you if you should touch the metal. Hanging and supporting a pendant style light can be interesting as they can be heavy (transformers) and getting the "footprint" right for the tank without too much overlap or gap between lights. The normal footprint is about 2 feet in diameter. With your solution, you will simply have a different "look" to the tank. With a typical light going from side to side and depending upon where you choose to place the light strip, you can have a "bright" area in the back, or the middle, or the front. Most choose the middle or back. If you opt for the diagonal, I'd be sure the light was well supported and shielded the entire length from any splashing bubbles as well as from condensation, both of which will shorten the fixtures' life. In either case, the plants should do fine, and in the case of the diagonal solution, it might offer some interesting challenges to make it "look" right. Frank -->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--
Posted 05-Nov-2008 17:15
desiredusername Enthusiast Posts: 182 Kudos: 99 Votes: 36 Registered: 26-Sep-2006	I cant afford to buy a pendant MH light, so i guess ill just go with a 2ft strip. Thanks FRANK
Posted 05-Nov-2008 22:10
keithgh Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003	I have a twin AquOne 18ins unit (total overall length) for my 45lt planted Cardinal tank. I just posted a photo of it in PHOTO BOTH Cardinal tank That would only give you a short over hang each side. *Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info* Look here for my Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos Keith Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do. I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT? VOTE NOW VOTE NOW
Posted 06-Nov-2008 01:11


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