[arielelf]

I need a light fixture for my exo-terra 24x18x36high viv.
I have looked around and found this fixture that seems to be super inexpensive, is it any good or do you have any lights you would suggest fo a tank this size?

Odyssea T5 High Output Lighting

 

[slipperheads]

4-bulb fixtures are unncessary for vivariums. Current, Deep Blue, are good brands. Stay away from Coralife - it's just not suitable for vivs. Because the viv is so tall, a high-output setup might be the way to go - it's up to you. You tend to get what you pay for in the T5 market.

 

[ryan10517]

that fixture looks like it has a terrible reflector. I've also heard they get really hot. in my opinion you get whatcha pay for. Sunlight supply, current usa, and AH supply are some good brands you should look into.

 

[Venutus1]

I am not offering an opinion on the lighting...

I am just jealous you got that viv... 'cause I love the looks and size of that one.

put pics up of it, will you?


cheers.

 

[arielelf]

Thanks guys! I have been driving myself crazy trying to figure this out. So 2 bulbs would be enough?

Yes it is reall the perfect size tank for the space that I have.

 

[arielelf]

I just discovered the Grobeam 500 on this forum. I am thinking that maybe I would do one of these in the back and another in the front?
Anyone having luck with these?

 

[Venutus1]

OK, now I have an opinion

If it were me, I would shoot for around at least 2++ watts of flo. light per gal.
(yes... true...i am really into light )

I know it is more of an aquariumists loose formula, but for me, it has applied well to vivs too.

That viv is approx. 65 gal. , I would use at least a 4 x 24 watt T5 HO fixture.

Now remember, all 4 lights do not have to be on all day. A few light timers can turn them on and off in sequence so the light can step up to full brightness, like mid-day sun, and then dim down as "dusk" approaches.
I find my frogs respond to the changing light levels.

Exo makes a 24" strip that has 3 sockets. It is not as fancy as a t5 fixture, but it can hold 75 watts of CFL. Something to think about.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents. I hope you do a build thread on it.
Cheers, Todd

PS. the lights you mentioned, Gro Beam, those are LED arn't they?
I think Mod Scott on this forum is using them. Maybe he will see this and chime in, or you could IM him.

 

[arielelf]

Thanks for the reply! Yes they are led's, I am starting to lean towards LED's after reading about them. I found these grow lights on ebay
450 LED AQUARIUM GROW LIGHT PANEL HYDROPONIC WHITE 36W | eBay

They have much better emitters than the old grow panels. Has anyone here used these? It seems like it would be enough light, but I am just not sure if they are strong enough to light the bottom.

LED's would be great because I will be using these in my office next to my computer so they would provide more plant-usable light with less visible light, so I wont get a head-ache.

 

[GRIMM]

You can get away with less light in vivs, but imo the more light you have the better the results will be. The absolute best example of this is was just posted by revolution...Unreal colours

http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/me...57-revolutions-36x18x24-exo-terra-update.html

 

[arielelf]

Wow that is a very nice tank. Mine is the 36" tall though. I would be blind if I were to sit next to that 6 bulb fixture!!!

 

[Wolfenrook]

Re the gro beam, I can shed some light on that (sorry. lol). 2 500s wont cut it over such a deep viv. 2 1000NDs however will, or 3 500s might just cut it if you want to spend a bit less. Will do a better job of bringing out frog colours than flourescents, and should help with plant growth. Will use a heck of a lot less power than a load of T5HOs as well.

Ade

 

[arielelf]

That would be close to $600.00 for the 2 1000's. I can't afford that. I was looking around the net last night and found these bulbs which use the same emitters as the grobeams, but I would have to rig up some kind of setup to use them.
21w Marine LED Bulbs - LED Pacific Aquarium Supplies

It would end up costing quite a bit less using these but would no be nearly as compact or convenient.

 

[arielelf]

I also found LED bulbs at Lowes today that use the 3w emitters but they were at 3000K which is not useful. I will do some research and see if the same company makes them in the daylight range.

 

[SanduskySerpents]

I have the same problem about 36 high pentagon viv with a canopy. I have used 2 6500k CFL with a grow bulb from lowes and though the cage is bright nothing seems to grow very well. Its been about 4-5 months since i planted. I dont know if its enough light or its just getting to hot inside. sometime 80 degrees at the bottom which i would suspect even hotter near the top!