Currently for my sorority tank I'm running a 17 watt t5 (or did I get a t8? I'll check when I get home) full spectrum daytime light for my now planted 20 gallon. Due to the nature of some of my plants, I want to upgrade my lighting so that I'm looking at more than one watt per gallon. How should I go about this? It seems that all the 24 inch lights which would fit my thirty inch tank are all 17 watts. I'm not precisely positive what to do about my lighting now. Suggestions?
Upgrading My Lighting
- Thread starter attibones
- Start date
A light reflector, eh? Would these be purchased at a hardware store? I don't believe I have ever seen them at my LFS. I'm assuming they just fit around my lamps to increase the intensity of the light. Good idea, fm1978.
Indeed, yes, a reflector! Hehe!
Some manufacturers make them specifically for their light fittings, others might not. So, it depends on what you have already whether you can buy an off the shelf reflector or something of the same size that needs a wee mod or 2.
Some manufacturers make them specifically for their light fittings, others might not. So, it depends on what you have already whether you can buy an off the shelf reflector or something of the same size that needs a wee mod or 2.
When I get done with class today, I'll hop by the LFS and then the hardware store to see if I can't find what I'm looking for. I found something about DIY reflectors using aluminum foil and then the posters of that forum began to discuss the bend of the foil and I got confused. However, I have found a few other examples on the Internet of what I need to purchase for my lights. One reflector said it can boost a t5 up to 300%, which would give me, what, an assumed 51 watts per gallon?
Hehe, close...
You have 17 watts with 20gal, so thats 0.85 watts / gal. An increase of 300% would (theoretically) give you 2.55 watts / gal.
That would be an ideal, though, and may not be quite that much in practice.
You have 17 watts with 20gal, so thats 0.85 watts / gal. An increase of 300% would (theoretically) give you 2.55 watts / gal.
That would be an ideal, though, and may not be quite that much in practice.
Not 51 watts per gallon! I meant watts total. Ah, numbers.
Regardless, I definitely need to increase my lighting, so I'll try to get a reflector. If that doesn't work, I'll find a DIY method (which appear to be less efficient at under 100% added reflection).
Regardless, I definitely need to increase my lighting, so I'll try to get a reflector. If that doesn't work, I'll find a DIY method (which appear to be less efficient at under 100% added reflection).
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