I need more lighting

[Jen]

I was looking at the twin flourescent bulb at the pet stores and they are like $150. A scosh out of my price range (by about 100 bucks).

I was wondering if I can go to The Building Box/Home Depot type of stores and buy a light fixture like this one. That is of course if it is the right length. I have no clue if that would be suitable for use in an aquarium. It's less than $20, and much more affordable. What do all you DIYers think?

 

[Discomafia]

You might have to check the kelvin rating, but other than that I see no problem other than mounting that on your hood.

 

[fufanu360]

how long/ deep is the tank? how many gallons?

 

[StarOrbs]

Personally I use two shop lights with 4 x 30W = 120W for my 55 gallon. Then we are going to build a wooden hood so it doesn't look as bad.

 

[Jen]

my tank is 3 ft long, 1 foot deep and 18 inches high. about 35 galons.

 

[jordan barnhart]

yes you could use that, no problem with using them. If you need more light because you have plants, get daylight bulbs with a kelvin temp at 6500k. HTH

 

[Jen]

would this bulb be ok? still only 1, but its it designed for plants. would it be enough for the fish as well?

Flora-Glo bulb

 

[StarOrbs]

I use Philips Sunlight bulbs which are 5000K which is still in the rigt color temperature range not to mention they only cost about $8 a piece. My plants are doing good too.

 

[Yenko]

would this bulb be ok? still only 1, but its it designed for plants. would it be enough for the fish as well?

Flora-Glo bulb

Most fish don't really care how much light is in their tank; I think 0.5 WPG is enough for most fish. Lots of fish prefer low-light environments. The only fish I know of that really likes high light are the Australian Rainbow Fishes. They like all the light you can give them; they love it when their tank gets some sunlight.

 

[Captain Canuck]

Hey Canoechiq! Thanks for pointing out that link to the lamp at Rona. I was just looking for cheap lighting options and was about to search Rona's site when I found this thread.

 

[Jen]

So here's what I ended up doing. I went to Home Depot and bought a dual strip light (only 24 inch since they didnt carry 36's) and 2 6500K bulbs - I think the guy said they were "daylight" bulbs. They are 20 watt bulbs, which gives me 40 in a 35gal = 1.21WPG What is that considered? Medium, or still on the lowside?

Oh. PS. They say T12 on them. I have no idea what that means, but I notice a lot of people mention a T number when it comes to lights

 

[Great Lakes]

T12 refers to diameter.

18 inch high tank, I would consider it on the low side of medium.

But then you ae talking to someone with over 1600 watts on their tank.. B)

GL

 

[Yeaulman]

The size T12 is the size of the lamp. They are measured in 1/8ths of an inch. So a T12 would be 1.5" in diameter 12/8 = 1 1/2. A T8 would be 1" 8/8 = 1 and a T5 would be 5/8"

Hope this helps you all

 

[Jen]

Thanks for the info on the T numbers. that helps!

Also, I found a shop that sells 3 foot fixtures, so I returned the 2 footer, and upgraded to the 3. The bulbs are now 30 a peice, so I have a whopping 60 watts! I think that gives me 1.75 WPG now. Huzzah!

 

[fufanu360]

you should try some t5's! u wanna see lighting!