Please give me lighting suggestions!

tigmades

tigmades

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Ashley
56"-60" L x 15"D x 15"W tank, with likely a mesh lid. I will probably only have the water going up to 12" H. There will be some plants, like anubias nana.

I couldn't find much for suggestions on here, but LEDs were mentioned. Can anyone please recommend something that they have/built that would be sufficient enough to light my tank without aggravating the axies? I definitely want to keep costs <$200. And please be specific, rather than just saying LED fixture... a brand, a model, a link, something! Pretty please?

Also, is there any WPG rule for axolotls?
 
I've always been told lighting isn't much of an issue; they don't have eyelids so anything intense like a 10,000k-double bright marineland bulbs I think would be unnecessary. I have a light in my canopy, but in terms of a basic, low cost fixture to sit on top of the mesh you could do a fluorescent strip light ($20-50 depending), and then a a 5500-7500k bulb if you're keeping plants in the tank.

They don't /need/ lots of light like species of fish do- so don't stress about buying fancy tropical sun bulbs or anything like that :)

also; http://www.petco.com/product/7394/A...Aqueon Fluorescent Strip Lights in Black-7394
And as a Canadian, Big Al's will hook you up as well-
http://www.bigalspets.ca/fish/lighting/single-bright-fluorescent-strip-light-black-48.html

You may/may not decide to go with a 48" fixture depending on budget- but two 20" fixtures from Al's will run you about $50, and would provide enough light to maintain plant life as well as give your lotl a little light during the day :)
 
Wow, thank you so much Tess! I wasn't worried about giving them not enough light, but rather too much! After reading all the photo areas, where people are saying "don't worry, that lighting is just for the picture" I got kind of paranoid for what I'd get for my coming babies!

Looks like Petco doesn't ship to Canada - otherwise I would have ordered 2x 30" hoods for ~$73! For some reason I never though to do that.......

If I end up going 60"L route (originally it was supposed to be 48".. I just keep expanding it ;) ) a 48" may not be long enough to light the entire tank. I guess I'll have to wait until it's done being built, then buy one and see!

How about this one? It wouldn't be too bright, would it? Home Selects | 4ft. 2 Lamp High Output T5 Grow Light with Aluminum Reflector and Lamps | Home Depot Canada

Thanks again, Tess!!
 
Keep in mind that fluoro lights will produce more heat than LEDs -
In Australia I wouldn't recommend using fluoro as it can increase tank water temp by a couple of degrees quite quickly - especially tropical grow lights!
LEDs are becoming better & more cost effective & don't tend to generate heat like their alternatives.
A few hours of artificial light a day is enough for anubias & if you provide lots of plants the light will be diffused & won't worry your axies as much :)



<3 >o_o< <3
 
I'm glad I could be of assistance :D LED set ups are extremely expensive here still- I don't know why, but if you're ever looking for an LED top for your proposed larger tanks, you can always try eBay (LED 48" 3300 Timer 6500K Aquarium Light Freshwater Plant Tropical Fish 54x 1W | eBay) and save yourself a few hundred dollars haha. I've had t5 bulbs and fixtures shipped out to me and had a pleasant transaction (nothing broken or busted up), however I feel an LED set up would be far more robust and tolerant to any shaking up regardless :3 The double-light fixture you posted might be a bit over kill- you really only need a single bulb if you're keeping low-light plants ! Your 'lotls will be content regardless :D
 
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