Light question

mrpenguin · 12/17/2007, 06:55 PM

I have a 29G tank, at the moment I have a 24' double 24w T5 High output light I also I have 17W 50/50 light on my tank.

http://www.hagen.com/canada/english/aquatic/glo/GLOT5_LightProg2_EN.cfm

The 17w came with a normal sun light, I then replaced it with a 50/50 reef / sun light, later on I bought the T5 high output and replaced the 17w.
Everybody tells me my light is still not good enough so I thought maybe it would be better to put the 17w back on the tank with the T5.

The 17w that came with the tank fits into a slot on the cover, so I removed to flip up lid and put the T5 over it ... as you can see in the pic ........... but now I am wondering since most of my rock is in the back of the tank right under the 17w should I switch the two lights or will the T 5 still do its job being more in the front of the tank ?

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mrpenguin · 12/18/2007, 12:17 PM

Anybody ??

clevengergl · 12/18/2007, 02:08 PM

Well, I would probably try to center the T5 light so any photosynthetic corals on your rocks can benefit more from it. I'm assuming the 17W fixture is just a NO strip light? If so, I think I'd either flip/flop them or remove the NO light all together.

mrpenguin · 12/18/2007, 02:11 PM

What is a NO light ?

clevengergl · 12/18/2007, 02:13 PM

Normal Output...as opposed to HO's like T5, which are High Output

luke33 · 12/18/2007, 02:14 PM

Normal output. I'd take the hood and toss it in the garage and set your t5 in the middle. I'd then save up get another t5 in there and you'll be able to keep anything you want even though those lights aren't using individual reflectors. Having the hood off will help with oxygenation and gasexchange, which is very healthy for the tank.

mrpenguin · 12/18/2007, 02:17 PM

So the 17w is doing nothing to the tank and is useless ?

My problem with opening the tank on the top is that I have an eel and he likes jumping out.

clevengergl · 12/18/2007, 02:21 PM

LOL! Yes, that is a problem! You may try covering the open sections with eggcrate and maybe something on top for a little added weight. That should keep the eel in the tank and still allow the airflow and oxygenation that Luke was referring to.

And no, the 17W light isn't useless; just not needed once the T5 fixture is placed appropriately. You could use it on a freshwater tank!

Newlin · 12/18/2007, 02:25 PM

I too would say throw the top away and get a glass top. I think they look better than the plastic ones anyway. And get rid of the NO light. I would also recommend that you get a T5 retro and put it in a a hood. With the reflectors you will get more light into the tank.

12/17/2007, 06:55 PM	#1
mrpenguin Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada Posts: 515	Light question I have a 29G tank, at the moment I have a 24' double 24w T5 High output light I also I have 17W 50/50 light on my tank. http://www.hagen.com/canada/english/aquatic/glo/GLOT5_LightProg2_EN.cfm The 17w came with a normal sun light, I then replaced it with a 50/50 reef / sun light, later on I bought the T5 high output and replaced the 17w. Everybody tells me my light is still not good enough so I thought maybe it would be better to put the 17w back on the tank with the T5. The 17w that came with the tank fits into a slot on the cover, so I removed to flip up lid and put the T5 over it ... as you can see in the pic ........... but now I am wondering since most of my rock is in the back of the tank right under the 17w should I switch the two lights or will the T 5 still do its job being more in the front of the tank ? [IMG][/IMG]

12/18/2007, 02:08 PM	#3
clevengergl Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 419	Well, I would probably try to center the T5 light so any photosynthetic corals on your rocks can benefit more from it. I'm assuming the 17W fixture is just a NO strip light? If so, I think I'd either flip/flop them or remove the NO light all together. __________________ "Now you see that evil will always triumph...because good is dumb." -Dark Helmet, Spaceballs Current Tank Info: 220g In-Wall in Progress!!! Click Red House above!

12/18/2007, 02:13 PM	#5
clevengergl Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 419	Normal Output...as opposed to HO's like T5, which are High Output __________________ "Now you see that evil will always triumph...because good is dumb." -Dark Helmet, Spaceballs Current Tank Info: 220g In-Wall in Progress!!! Click Red House above!

12/18/2007, 02:21 PM	#8
clevengergl Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 419	LOL! Yes, that is a problem! You may try covering the open sections with eggcrate and maybe something on top for a little added weight. That should keep the eel in the tank and still allow the airflow and oxygenation that Luke was referring to. And no, the 17W light isn't useless; just not needed once the T5 fixture is placed appropriately. You could use it on a freshwater tank! __________________ "Now you see that evil will always triumph...because good is dumb." -Dark Helmet, Spaceballs Current Tank Info: 220g In-Wall in Progress!!! Click Red House above!

12/18/2007, 02:25 PM	#9
Newlin Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Noble, Ok. Posts: 227	I too would say throw the top away and get a glass top. I think they look better than the plastic ones anyway. And get rid of the NO light. I would also recommend that you get a T5 retro and put it in a a hood. With the reflectors you will get more light into the tank. __________________ Everything that I own is for sale, click my little red house for info. Local pickup only.

12/18/2007, 12:17 PM	#2
mrpenguin Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada Posts: 515	Anybody ??

12/18/2007, 02:11 PM	#4
mrpenguin Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada Posts: 515	What is a NO light ?

12/18/2007, 02:14 PM	#6
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	Normal output. I'd take the hood and toss it in the garage and set your t5 in the middle. I'd then save up get another t5 in there and you'll be able to keep anything you want even though those lights aren't using individual reflectors. Having the hood off will help with oxygenation and gasexchange, which is very healthy for the tank.

12/18/2007, 02:17 PM	#7
mrpenguin Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada Posts: 515	So the 17w is doing nothing to the tank and is useless ? My problem with opening the tank on the top is that I have an eel and he likes jumping out.