Any suggestions on a light upgrade for a planted Fluval Roma 125 tank?

[James105]

Hi everyone,

I need to upgrade my tank lighting in order to help my sad plants. I have the standard LED lights fitted currently, does anyone reccomend a new bulb I can fit into the existing light panel?

Thanks!

 

[!poogs!]

Lifegaurd aquatics lights.
I use them in my tanks in everything from a 72 inch to a 24 inch. Cheap, no problems, grow plants easy.
available on Amazon. Send me an IM and I can send you pics.

 

[86 ssinit]

How long is your tank? Is there 2 center braces or 1. My 125s are 60” long. I use 2 48” finnex on 1. On the other I have a finnex and a hygger. But due to algae growth I’ve shut off the finnex. Plants are growing great in both.

Wait are you talking liters?

 

[RayClem]

I presume you are talking about the 123 liter tank/32.5 gallon Fluval tank.

The tank is 32.5" long and comes with a 21 watt light which is underpowered for a tank of that size.

I have Hygger HG-957 lights on three of my tanks and have been pleased with them. They are fully programmable so you can adjust the on/off times, light color and light intensity. The default mode has the lights coming on dim in the morning, ramping up to full intensity white light by mid day, ramping back down in the evening and having a blue light on for a few hours at night.

Hygger has a 48 watt light that will fit tanks ranging from 30" - 36", so it would be great for a 32.5" tank. The 48 watts would give you slightly more than double the current wattage, so it would be a nice upgrade.

Here is a link to the US Amazon site so you can see if it might be something you would be interested in.

https://www.amazon.com/Hygger-Extendable-Aquarium-Freshwater-Saltwater/dp/B086SV5XBY?th=1

 

[James105]

Thank you for the replies.

I have this tank: Fluval Roma 125 Aquarium Set and Cabinet - Oak

I have read it is quite difficult to find an aftermarket panel that fits onto the rim without having to have it open top. I have a cat so would like to avoid that, can I replace the actual light bulb in the original light?. I believe it has a T8 LED tube stock that puts out 10W, how many Watt should I be aiming for on the upgrade? (sorry, I don't know what I am talking about on this)

There are T8 replacement tubes on swell, I am looking at this jewel one: Juwel Day-Lite T8 Tubes

J

 

[RayClem]

The Fluval tank is listed at 80 cm (32.5" long). T8 tubes put out light based on the length of the tube. A single T8 bulb is not going to put out anywhere near enough light for good plant growth.

Sometimes you can get LED bulbs packaged in a T8 tube that will be more efficient. That might help somewhat as long as you can get 6500K daylight bulbs. However, you really need a lot more lighting. For that you will need a new light.

I have a cat who likes observing my 55 gallon aquarium. Sometimes she has even put her paws on the rim of the tank so she can peer down at the fish. However, she has never tried reaching into the tank. You can always cut a piece of clear plexiglass to cover the tank and then mount a LED light a few inches above that. I built a frame from polystyrene trim from the lumber yard that raises the light about 8" above the rim. The frame also makes it harder for the cat to access the tank. Both polystyrene and PVC are safer than trying to build the frame from wood, although if you paint the wood with a non-toxic paint, that can work for a few years.

 

[James105]

The Fluval tank is listed at 80 cm (32.5" long). T8 tubes put out light based on the length of the tube. A single T8 bulb is not going to put out anywhere near enough light for good plant growth.

Sometimes you can get LED bulbs packaged in a T8 tube that will be more efficient. That might help somewhat as long as you can get 6500K daylight bulbs. However, you really need a lot more lighting. For that you will need a new light.

I have a cat who likes observing my 55 gallon aquarium. Sometimes she has even put her paws on the rim of the tank so she can peer down at the fish. However, she has never tried reaching into the tank. You can always cut a piece of clear plexiglass to cover the tank and then mount a LED light a few inches above that. I built a frame from polystyrene trim from the lumber yard that raises the light about 8" above the rim. The frame also makes it harder for the cat to access the tank. Both polystyrene and PVC are safer than trying to build the frame from wood, although if you paint the wood with a non-toxic paint, that can work for a few years.

Yes I see what your saying Ray, my cat is not very interested in the tank at present but it was my preference to keep the top covered as she's mischevious.

That being said I really must get my plants healthy so I will take everyones advice and purchase a new light. I can see the 2 below by NICREW, do you reccomend either one of them or are they the same?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B088Z95FDY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A1SCNCT8HBI2E6&psc=1

NICREW Planted LED Aquarium Light, 24/7 Automated Aquarium Lighting, LED Fish Tank Light with Controller,Upgraded Version, 80cm: Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies

 

[86 ssinit]

Ok I watched that video for the tank. At 1:20 it shows a led fixture that can be removed like in the video. If so most of the new LEDs will just fit in the same space. The finnex HLC is probably the smallest thinnest one with the best chance of that top plate covering it. If the top late can’t be used there still won’t be enough room for your cat to get into it. Can you put up a picture of the top? Is your all one peice? Also if that’s the tank you bought its saying the light is good enough to grow plants plus it’s Bluetooth operated. Fluval does make some very good lights. I thought those Roma tanks were good to go.