Looking for a 40+watt light for a 24" hood

[Zorak]

I have a 25 tall with a 24" hood and 18" aqua glow 15 watt light. I am trying to make this a planted aquarium but the cheapest light fixture i have founf was a 24" 65 watt fixture for $99. Thats more then i spent on the tank ond for that much i might as well just get fake plants, anyone have any suggestions on what i can do?

 

[bigmick474]

i'm no expert, but could you not just add more "cheap" low watt lights insted of the exspensive one.

 

[Zorak]

i'm no expert, but could you not just add more "cheap" low watt lights insted of the exspensive one.

The problem is my hood is so small i have no room to do that, plus cheap lights and water sound like a deadly combination. I need something designed for such a purpose so it is stable.

 

[bigmick474]

why dont you plant the tank to the level of light you have got.
abit of indirect sunlight helps
a post on low level plants

on this site you can choose plants by the level of light you have
tropica


btw - i meant cheap aquarium lights

 

[rdd1952]

Unfortunately, to get the wattage most planted tanks need (at least 2 watts per gallon), you are almost forced to go to power compas lights like the 65w one you found. You could maybe add a double strip but that would still only get you 30 watts so you're still short of what you need. Adding low light plants as bigmick suggested is about your only option until you can afford power compacs. This is the cheapest place I have found online for lights and their service is good (at least based on the order I placed),

 

[houndour]

I had the same problem. I got the interpet t5 compact lighting unit in the end...55 watts.

Cost about £50 plus another £17 for the tube. Fish keeping aint cheap...especially if you wanna have plants.