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I've ordered the 3ft light for my husband's marine tank, and when it arrives I'm going to see if it would be possible to rigg up little rubber feet

If it's the coralife fixture you and have a glass top you don't even need the rubber feet. I just put them there so it looks alittle more (intended). The coralfife fixture do not run hot, so it's really not an issue. So as long as you have a glass top, you could raise it alittle with anything: rubber feet, small strip of wood, anything really.

If it's not a coralife I can't attest to how hot it gets. Current USA and AGA I know run hotter. I've cracked a glass versa top using an AGA 110w cf fixture that was placed right on the top.

My Scapes

Hi,

I have a 4ft planted at the moment and just about to replace my standard fluro with PC light.

I usually order my hardwares off the internet because they are much cheaper, and only $8 extra for express postage.

The double compact fluro gives you 4x55W which is 220 Watt on a 4ft.
Or you can go with a single, still 2watt/gal
Aquaria Warehouse

You'll need to buy tubes separately, which can be found on the site. I recommend the one with combined 10000K and 6500K.

I've ordered from that site in the past, excellent service. Products delivered the next morning.
Highly recommended.

Regards,
Jim

If it's not a coralife I can't attest to how hot it gets.

Tetratch, no it's not. It's a Aqualina Twin Power compact, so unless I can rigg up feet, I may be a little nervous putting it straight on the glass, hearing of your cracked glass story. I have no idea how hot it runs.

Jim, thanks for the lead on the tubes. I have no problem ordering the PC lighting fitting itself, but my supplier (Age of Aquariums) told me I can't get 6,700K tubes in Aus, but you say you can get 6,500K? I'll certainly give your lead a try for the tubes I want.

Planted tank guys, would 6,500K be ok, if I can't get 6,700K?

Cheers
TW

Robyn,

Never having had 6,500K bulbs I cannot say for sure that this would be ok. I would assume though that it should be pretty close and almost emit the same color as the 6,700K does.

If it is available, you could also look at bulbs somewhere in the 8,000K range, that may work as well (never had these either). But I know that you don't shy away from being a Guinea Pig for us

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Thanks JQW,

Aquaria Warehouse can give me a combo light tube of 10,000K & 6500K, but have confirmed they cannot give me 6700K or even 6500K without the combination of the 10,000K. That's just how the light tubes are made.

I'm hoping that Frank may see this, as Frank previously recommended that I stay away from 10,000K if I can & to stick to 6700K only. Seems I can't, unless I order from US. The previous combo Frank recommended to avoid was 10,000K + 8500K. Is this new combination (10,00K + 6,500K) any better, or still one best to avoid?

I can still pursue the US source, but the downside of this is possible breakages on a longer transit trip & the money I lose on conversion (our AU$1 = US$0.73). If there is a big benefit in ordering the 6700K tube, I will follow up some more, but if the benefit is minor, it may not be worth the hassle?

Any opinions of continuing to pursue 6700K tubes, or just go with what I have found, would be appreciated.


Cheers
TW

Hi Robyn,
Just passing through on the way to hit the rack and saw
your note. I'd go for the 10,000K and the 6500K. The idea
is that the 6500K bulb will "mellow out" some of the
harshness of the 10,000K bulb.
I think you will be satisfied with the results.
Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Excellent, thanks Frank.

Now, that I have the tubes sorted out & I can get them in Aus (much easier) now, I just have to decide if I'm getting the 4ft or 3ft.

I'm glad that sorted out and thanks to everyone for the advice given.

EDIT: Frank - hit the rack - that sounds painful ? ? ?

Cheers
TW

Hi, thanks for advice so far.

I'm revisiting this issue, cause maybe I'll sell the current 4ft tank I have (which is only 53G) and instead buy a wider & deeper one (still 4ft). When I was still only thinking of the shallower 53G tank, I decided, after listening to all the advice, to go with a 3ft light that had 2 x 96W compact fluro, as being the right choice for this smaller tank.

But if I up the size of the tank to 74.8G, this is what the 2 different lights would give me.

If I go for the 3ft light (2 x 96W) I would have:-
When both lights are on: 2.56 wpg
When one light is on: 1.2 wpg


If I go for the 4ft light (4 x 55W) I would have:-
When all lights are on: 2.94wpg
When only one row on: 1.4 wpg

Excuse the maths if I got the calcs wrong. Not my strong point.

Is the 4ft light still too many watts for that volume of water?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

EDIT: Just re-read an earlier post here from tetratech

I have a total of 192 watts on my 72g

So that answers it, if the 3ft can work (with little feet etc) on the 4ft tank, that is still the one to get. Thanks anyway.

Cheers
TW