Underhood lighting on rio 125 for high tech

[whinnie]

Hi All

I have a small quandary in that i have a Juwel Rio 125l tank with the stock 2x28w t5 high light tubes under the hood. Everything else has been upgraded apart from the lighting. i was considering upgrading to almost double and going with large amounts of co2 however we have 3 cats in the house, one of which has a massive love of water and will more than likely end up in the tank for a swim and a spot of fishing with an open top.

Has anybody any experience with luminares or other lighting that will fix under a hood to make everything remain "cat proof"? ideas and recommendations appreciated, or a luminare that can go so close to the rim of the tank so that it can make any gaps really small?. Dimesnsions of the tank are 8h1 x 36d x 50h cm.

Or alternatively with the current lighting being 56w over a 125l tank am i daft for even considering going much higher?

 

[foxfish]

You certainly don't need any more wattage to get fantastic results, I am running 70w over 210 ltr.
However one solution would be a cover glass & use overhead lighting.

 

[Ady34]

Hi Lee,
is this your first 'high tech' tank?
Either way id say stick with what you have for now and concentrate on getting c02, flow, distribution and ferts right first before considering more light...thats enough to think about in any set up to start with. I have just recently posted in the lighting section "doubling light over an established set up", and ive concluded to stick with what i have, which is 2x t5 ho the same as yours, and more than enough to grow most plants well. Its probably worth having a read through that thread to give you an idea of weather you want to go down the very high light set up.
Hope this helps.
Cheerio for now,
Ady.

 

[whinnie]

Hi Lee,
is this your first 'high tech' tank?
Either way id say stick with what you have for now and concentrate on getting c02, flow, distribution and ferts right first before considering more light...thats enough to think about in any set up to start with. I have just recently posted in the lighting section "doubling light over an established set up", and ive concluded to stick with what i have, which is 2x t5 ho the same as yours, and more than enough to grow most plants well. Its probably worth having a read through that thread to give you an idea of weather you want to go down the very high light set up.
Hope this helps.
Cheerio for now,
Ady.

Yes i'ts my first high tech, never even knew about the concept until i discovered these forums now i cant stop buying stuff for it! must have about 10 ebay orders landing this week with various bits and bobs, just making sure i've got everything sorted before i shift all the fish and do my newbie journal on the adventure! I'm glad the lights i've got will work as they are and i dont need to start messing with those as well.

Many Thanks for the help.

 

[whinnie]

You certainly don't need any more wattage to get fantastic results, I am running 70w over 210 ltr.
However one solution would be a cover glass & use overhead lighting.

I'll bare the cover glass in mind for the future, thanks