Lighting an Exo Terra 24" x 18" x 24" viv.

[bbehring]

I'm in the building phase on a 24" x 18" x 24" exo terra with a waterfall and water area in the front portion of the tank. My build is similar to that of Grimm's first viv build. I plan to keep a mated pair of crested geckos. Lighting is a concern, especially for the front water portion of the viv to grow submersed plants (anubias, java ferns, mosses. Am thinking about buying the exo terro 24" long hood with 3 x 26 watt cfls for the back and a 4 x 24w T5 fixture at the front. Thoughts?

[Grimm]

For a simple, and cost effective solution, I would go with two 24" T8 or T5 Fluorescent fixtures. They typically have 2 bulbs per fixture so it should be adequate lighting considering this will only be roughly 40-45 galons. I bought both of my 48" T8 fixtures for 100$, so yours should be much less. Plus they are extremely easy to find at any large home/building store, or even Walmart.

And you have the right idea with the types of plants to grow. Stick with anubias, and anything java. They will grow in low light, but will thrive in anything brighter. I was dumb and bought some baby leaf and fine leafed plants, not knowing they require insanely bright light and perfect water quality.

[beckdg]

i don't see anything wrong with the incandescent fixture except limited bulb choices. still... with that fixture you can switch your lights out fairly easy to choose what light level best fits your tank. you can't do that with linear tubes. also... you could put 3-27 watt cfl's in there... which will give you more light than any double tube fluoro fixture on the market at 24".

[bbehring]

I hear ya Grimm, but not sure on the shop light version, I'd like black hoods. I'll have to jump down to home depot and take a look at what they have available.

I was thinking of using both hoods. The 3 x 26 watt exo terra hood and the t5 hood either 2 x 24w or 4 x 24 watt. For the t5 I was thinking of 4x 6500. Not sure which cfls for the exo terra unit? Want to make sure the submerged plans grow. Do I need both or is this overkill? Maybe just the 4x24w T4 with 10,000k? Also the top screen is actually divided into 4 equal sections with small plastic dividers, more for 4 spot type light fixtures. I know I don't need heat lamps for my cresteds. If I just use one 24" linear fixture, would you place if in the front or back?

[beckdg]

i'd place whatever fixture you use in the front for best penetration.
both fixtures would be overkill, imho.
10,000k isn't necessary but it is a very clean (looking), bright (looking), white (looking) light.
for cfl's check out walmart. the ge daylight 6500k cfl's are great. they'll probably carry 2 versions... t2 and t3. there's a couple ways to tell them apart. the t3's should be ~$5 for a 2 pack. the t2's should be ~$10 for a 2 pack. if you put them side by side you should notice one bulb (the more expensive ones [t2]) is thinner than the other. although they'll have similar stats and boast nearly identical lumens the t2 should be a far superior bulb. it will consume a little less energy and the tubes are thinner and shorter. this means more room for them as well as less re-strike (more of the light should get where you aim it).

[bbehring]

I'm thinking I'll go with the exo terra 3 x 26w hood and the walmart t2 bulbs as you mentioned beckdg. I have read on a thread or two that you can put higher watt cfl's in? Maybe the 42 watters?

[beckdg]

you might want to take size and heat into consideration if you try to do 42-60 watt, etc. cfl's. if they'll fit into the hood comfy i'd still think a fan would be necessary in the fixture. i could be wrong but higher wattages get hotter. as well cooler bulbs last longer. i doubt the higher watt cfl's are made to be air restricted in such a way...

[bbehring]

Ya, I'm thinking at this point, I'll go with the 3 x 26w cfls in the Exo Terra hood and then If I need more light in the front planted aquarium, I could always add a 2 x 24w t5 hood. Thanks for all the info and insight.