Adding Lights

[Egmel]

I'm a hard up student trying to get her first Tropical Fish Tank running.

It's second hand but looks to be an old Juwel Rekord 70 (~20G with a 15W bulb)

I want to get some plants growing and as such I reckon I'll need at least 1 more bulb.

The current fitting is looking v-old and the thermo-plastic is starting to brown so I figure it may not be long before it needs replacing anyway.

My question is basically what's the cheapest and easiest way to up my lighting? I'm not adverse to wiring stuff up myself, it may be a while since I've done any serious electrical stuff but it's basically what I did my 1st degree in so even if I come across problems I've always got people to turn to and a nice supply of standard stock!

On the other hand would I be better off just going with Plants that like low lighting levels?

Thanks in advance.
Helen

 

[Ava_Banana]

I'm a hard up student trying to get her first Tropical Fish Tank running.

It's second hand but looks to be an old Juwel Rekord 70 (~20G with a 15W bulb)

I want to get some plants growing and as such I reckon I'll need at least 1 more bulb.

The current fitting is looking v-old and the thermo-plastic is starting to brown so I figure it may not be long before it needs replacing anyway.

My question is basically what's the cheapest and easiest way to up my lighting? I'm not adverse to wiring stuff up myself, it may be a while since I've done any serious electrical stuff but it's basically what I did my 1st degree in so even if I come across problems I've always got people to turn to and a nice supply of standard stock!

On the other hand would I be better off just going with Plants that like low lighting levels?

Thanks in advance.
Helen

The absolute cheapest way would be to put in a reflector of some type above the bulb (if it hasn't got one already), this makes good use of what light you do have. (if all else fails........use baking foil).

Then..........ask on here in the for sale section........these things come up every now and then for minimum outlay.

good luck...

(.....says Mark........off to take out a couple of the reflectors from the lights in our office (locker room, no-one will notice ).

.....Now....how do I get the reflectors home from work on the motorbike.......

 

[Egmel]

The light already has a reflector so I think I'll start with that see how it goes and worry about it in a few weeks time if the plants don't look too healthy.

Cheers for the reply

 

[juwelfan]

Hi,

I have a Juwel Rekord 70 and I also want to upgrade my lighting. I got a Juwel 15W reflector last week and it has made a difference to the amount of light in the tank. The previous white reflector didn’t stop me getting blinded every time I opened the feeding flap.
However, I’m still not happy with the amount of light as I have about 12 plants in the tank and some are really stretching to reach the light which is a good sign there isn’t enough of it.
I’m seriously considering borrowing my friends drill, buying a new blub and light/starter/ballast thing. Check out this DIY Upgrade. This one is a little more my standard, D-I-Y without the MDF. I dont have the skill to make a new hood, so the upgrade seems great.

What did you do in the end? Did you just stick with the reflector?

 

[MHunt]

You can get a double light tube, two tubes joined together that fit in a single fitting. I've seen them in a recent PFK. Don't know if it's in the latest one or what make they are either, but should in theory double the light output from your existing fitting.

 

[juwelfan]

Anymore info on this double lighting of which you speak MHunt?

 

[raptorrex]

Anymore info on this double lighting of which you speak MHunt?

They are called compact/power fluorescents. but they aint cheap.
this is a comparison link. google will find retailers for you.

http/www.aquarium-lighting-guide.com/compact-fluorescent