2ft terrarium lighting?

[Greendream]

Hi, Im looking to find something to light my 2ft cube terrarium. will be mostly bublophillums.
wanting to create this.
he uses a 6 x 39 watt t5 fluorescent light.
Thanks

[MAli]

I'm not sure but if I had to guess that light fixture does not hold six T5 bulbs. More like four. Either way it is way more than what is required for both your tanks.

I would suggest a good 2 bulb T5HO light fixture. One with good reflectors and ballast. If you search in the reefing communities you can usually find great fixtures for cheap. Don't worry about the specialty bulbs cause you can just buy regular 6500K or 6700K bulbs or whatever, for cheap at hardware stores. Put that baby on a timer and you are good to go.

Hope that helps

[Greendream]

Only 2 bulbs? sure that will be enough? if so that takes a load of, been looking for a nice light unit for the top. none that are 6 bulb.

[MAli]

Now that I think about it 2 foot "cube" is a pretty good size.

You can get a fixture with four bulbs and use two for a while and if you need more turn on the other two. I use a quad fixture on a 3x1.5x2 tank and it's plenty. I have lots of Bulbos happily growing in the lower portions of the tank. You can even grow higher light requiring plants closer to the lights. Either way though six is overkill for what you have IMO. Kijiji should have plenty of nice used fixtures.

[Greendream]

In Australia so im looking at aussie sites. heres what im looking at its the best but so pricey
Equipment : ATI Sunpower HO T5 Fixture 4 | Reef Direct

[MAli]

That is a nice fixture for sure. I don't know how prices are where you are and how you sit financially but i personally quit buying new fixtures years ago. I get the best for cheap There have to e some reef forums in Australia I am still not sure what "active cooling" means. Are the fans built in ?? Does it have a built in timer ? I think you are payng a lot for looks in that fixture

[Greendream]

Yeah it has in built fans and real metal for reflectors.
ATI-Aquaristik Sunpower
OR
Florescent Light Fittings And Accessories - T5 Florescent Light Fittings Supreme Aqua - T5 AQUARIUM OVERHEAD LIGHTING 4x24W 600 Long - Guppy’s Aquarium Products Online - T5 AQUARIUM OVERHEAD LIGHTING 4x24W 600 Long

[Greendream]

quick question, with the led light units will white leds grow plants or does the spectrum change they have to be red?

[MAli]

Most of the LED that come like that are only meant for night viewing. If you are talking about just using LEDs then that is a bit of a hot topiv. Some people believe the technology is good enough and others think that LEDs are not quite where they claim to be. There are many threads discussing the very topic of white light and full spectrum.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Greendream

Hi, Im looking to find something to light my 2ft cube terrarium. will be mostly bublophillums.
wanting to create this.
he uses a 6 x 39 watt t5 fluorescent light.
Thanks

That looks just like ChrisFL setup. You should ask him, he is active here on the OB.