Question: Lighting

[danchristopher]

My fish tank used to be used as a turtle tank, I think whoever previously owned it modified it for this purpose.
It has a light fitting in the hood for a standard bayonet light bulb, I've never seen aquarium lights for this fitting though. I asked in a pet store and they suggested a reptile tank light but I thought that'd probably generate too much heat, plus it was a screw-in.

Do i just need to find a bayonet UV bulb of some sort...? What kind of light would be best to use? I don't want it to be overly bright but I want to be able to have some my plants actually grow.
Any help appreciated!

 

[iChris]

axies don't like bright lights so keep this in mind.

I just use a clip on LED lamp and it works great, no bright lights, no extra heat and it's enough for my plants to grow.

 

[iSuzie]

i agree with chris, they don't need one that's because axies don't have eyelids there for they really don't need any light at all, and if you do want to put a light in, the best thing to do is make sure you have lots of shady hiding places and plants for them to hide in out of the lights reach, that way they can be happy and you can have a little bit more light, but really its not recommend to have one but its up to you

 

[carsona246]

I think a uv light is going to be overkill for an axie. A compact fluorescent light bulb with the right light spectrum (6500 or above I think) will work for plants, and put off minimal heat. Not sure if the light socket you have is going to be too powerful for a cfl or not though, may want to make sure.

 

[danchristopher]

Thanks for your replies, the idea is to have plenty of plants growing that will allow for plenty of cover, plus I have several hides for them. I am aware axies don't like/need lights but I love the idea of having a nicely planted tank

I'll have a look around for a compact fluorescent bulb and see it if will work, otherwise I'll consider the clip on LED.
Cheers!

 

[carsona246]

you could always get flourescent bulbs, but then you'll need to buy the light ballast, and the bulbs, instead of just screwing in a light bulb

 

[iChris]

My lamp is a Aqua One LED lamp, I can attach a picture of it if you like.

 

[danchristopher]

My lamp is a Aqua One LED lamp, I can attach a picture of it if you like.

Is it the Versalight LED? Aquarium lighting

I think they sell those at my LFS so I might pop down and have a look, thanks for that. Might be easier than finding the right CFL for my bayonet fitting.

 

[iChris]

yep, thats the one I use.

it gets used on a 25G bowfront tank so it provides just the right amount of light.

 

[sammie68]

Hey everyone,

I thought I would ask this question here since it's about lighting.

I know axies don't like or need lighting but I was just wondering if it's ok to use the small underwater lights that have different colour lenses and can be angled in a way so as not to shine directly on the axies- I thought maybe a green, blue or red lense cover might make it less bright for the axies ....would that work in a 3ft tank I wonder....

 

[alexx]

I think that would be fine, something in my head is telling me not red.. but can't figure why.

Somebody posted something like this before: Aquawave Luma Spotlights a great way to illuminate your aquarium.

You could always try LED strips, as they don't give off much heat or light, I had an LED strip running across the back of my old small tank with a colour change remote for brightness etc.

 

[sammie68]

Thanks a bunch alex, I won't use the red then. I've never heard of LED strips before are they available here in Australia...Thanks again for the advice. Oh I really liked the Luma Spotlights as well, going to wonder around the net and see if they have any in Australia.