Lighting for Discus?

[jjgunshot]

Hey guys and gals,

Im setting up a new custom tank and wanted all of your opinions on this light fixture I might get for my (60Lx18Wx20H) tank

The moonlight spotlights really appeal to me....

but is the light good for my discus?

http://www.bigalspets.ca/fish/lighting/lunar-aqualight-t5-ho-fixture-4-x-54-w-48.html

[Poco]

I have one of this and really like it. It also has moonlight.

http://www.kensfish.com/moreinfo/marineland-led-double-bright-strip-48-60inches.html

[Trier20]

Personally I like using t5 shop lights. Much cheaper and work just as good. If you want moon lights you can buy some or DIY some for the tank. With the money saved there u can afford another discus!

[darcy]

I agree,no need to spend 400 bucks on lights. I use a 48" shop light that I retro fitted with T5's that I had laying around. My reef tank is whole different ball game.

[DiscusLoverJeff]

I also agree. T8 shop lights from Home Depot for $20.00 and 6500k or 6700k bulbs.

[jjgunshot]

Can I use a 48" lighting system on a 60" tank?

[Trier20]

Yes if you hang it above the tank instead of mounting on the tank

[water_sprite]

I'm glad to see that others use shop lights on their aquarium. I've been doing it for years.

-Brenn

[Elliots]

I have a 60" tank also. I bought four 30" fixtures from Kens Fish. A 30" fixture takes a 24" bulp in T5. I asked for T5 HO bulbs for the rear pair of reflectors. In the front I took out the T5 bulbs and put in Colormax bulbs also from Kens. I have a lot of plants and discus and everything is good regarding the lighting. The colormax bulbs enhance the red and blue colors of the fish. I bought reflectors with moonlights. The moonlights are always on, when I want to turn the moonlights off I unplug the reflectors. To make unplugging easy each pair of reflectors is pluggeded into a seperate powerstrip with an on/off switch. My filters, both filters into 1 powerstrip, and heaters, one powerstrip each and seperate outlets, so I can easily turn them on and off without actually unplugging. I have 5 of these powerstrips that plug in two powerstrips and then everything goes into two outlets. Sounds complicated but it is not. It was about $70 for 7 powerstrips.

[DiscusLoverJeff]

I also have a 60" 110 gallon tank that I can't find a decent fixture for. So I raised the 48" light over the top about 2 feet, looks good for now until something better. Maybe DIY led light fixture soon. But as I mentioned, the cost is low and it gives off plenty of light.

[Trier20]

In the front I took out the T5 bulbs and put in Colormax bulbs also from Kens. .

Don't let this confuse you. What he is saying is he took out the full spectrum T5HO bulbs and put in a color ax T5HO bulb. Colormax bulbs come in most sizes of T-bulbs.

[jjgunshot]

Are Colormax bulbs better then the T5HO?

So a Colormax Bulb will fit in the T5HO slot?

Can I take the bulbs out of this one and put two colormax high Kelvin rated bulbs and 2 colormax Lower Kelvin rated bulbs in instead?

[Mgardner]

I got the double bright LED from Marineland for my 60 gal and love it. It was only $150 from drsfosterandsmith.com. Really enjoy both the love how the light looks and the moonlighting.

[jjgunshot]

Anyone know anything about this product and how good it is?


http://www.marinedepot.com/Neptune_Systems_Dimmable_Lunar_Simulator_Module_LS M_w_Moonlight_LEDs_Monitor_Controller_Accessories-Neptune_Systems-NS9131-FITEMOAC-NS9137-vi.html

These lights seem highly convenient and run on a lunar cycle. The reviews are all positive as well.

Anyone have these by chance?

[Trier20]

Are Colormax bulbs better then the T5HO?

So a Colormax Bulb will fit in the T5HO slot?

Can I take the bulbs out of this one and put two colormax high Kelvin rated bulbs and 2 colormax Lower Kelvin rated bulbs in instead?

Yes if you have a T5HO ballast and buy T5HO color max bulbs.