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View Full Version : Can't find good lights.... Maybe found one!



Joekneebone
12-26-2009, 03:42 AM
Hey,
I have been searching for ages to find some good cfl floodlights for my algae scrubber.
The screen is to be 8.36 inches by 8.36 inches.
Heres what I have found, I may have to change the globe: http://lightingpro.com.au/catalog/produ ... cts_id=178 (http://lightingpro.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=60&products_id=178)
Do you think this is suitable?
Please note: I live in Australia and that makes it harder to find these lights because you can't really buy cheap cheap basic lights like the clip on cfl floodlights used in the bucket designs.
Thanks!

SantaMonica
12-26-2009, 01:47 PM
No... that is incandescent. Must be CFL.

Get this in CFL 11 watt, warm daylight:

http://www.buysterlighting.com.au/Hermo ... M1375.html (http://www.buysterlighting.com.au/Hermosa-DEC3-HEM1375.html)

then get a clip-on socket with reflector. Or just get a CFL flood:

http://www.buysterlighting.com.au/Brill ... L1026.html (http://www.buysterlighting.com.au/Brilliant-80912-BRL1026.html)

Joekneebone
12-26-2009, 02:39 PM
Thanks for your reply!
I've worked out it would be cheaper just buying this: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1ft-30cm-Aquariu ... 4a9b2eda98 (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1ft-30cm-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Light-Brand-New_W0QQitemZ320431119000QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Pet _Supplies?hash=item4a9b2eda98)

Thanks!

Joekneebone
12-26-2009, 02:52 PM
I'm thinking I would do a horizontal scrubber with this light.
The fish tank is almost 40 gallons and will have 15 kilos of live rock and 9.1 kg of sand.
How big should the screen be if its going to be horizontal?

Thanks!

SantaMonica
12-26-2009, 08:07 PM
Twice as big, with twice the light on the top. The more angled the slope the better.

Joekneebone
12-26-2009, 11:10 PM
So that lights good enough for a sloped screen 13 inches by 4.5?
I will be using a 1600 litre an hour (422 gallons) pump.
because its going to be so thin would you recommend just dumping the water on to it, or slitting a pipe like for vertical set ups?
Also, would you put up a barrier on the side of the screen to stop water coming off the side?
Thank you very much for your help!

SantaMonica
12-27-2009, 08:32 PM
Horizontals are less effective for a given size (even after you double the area), because as algae gets thicker, it blocks further flow. The more vertical it is, the less this happens.

Thus your screen and light are too little. For a 40 gal, you'd want at least 80 square inches of single-sided. You only have about 60. And you'd also want the higher amount of light: 1 watt per gallon, which would be 40 watts for you. You have only 9 watts.

At least your flow would be good. I'm assuming the screen would be 4.5 wide?

Joekneebone
12-28-2009, 04:35 PM
How much watts per gallon for a vertical?
I could use the T5 on a vertical setup with the 1600 LPH because it is enough for 12 inches.
Thanks!

SantaMonica
12-28-2009, 05:28 PM
Basic for all scrubber is 0.5w per gallon medium, and 1.0 for high. So 20 watts to 40 watts for you.

Joekneebone
12-28-2009, 08:34 PM
In that case I'll just do it with CFl lights.

Thank you very much for your help!