Lighting- Ideas on fixing a 55g "walmart special"? - Aquarium Advice

cgcaver · 01-02-2005, 06:39 PM

I just switched my tank over to sand/driftwood/live plants this week, and my next project is making sure my lighting isn't total crap. I have a 55g (4' long, 1' wide) "Walmart Special" tank. Yeh, i know they aren't great, but I've had it for like 3 years now and it was given to me. Anywas, Im not sure if youre familiar with the way they are set up, but they have 2 lighted hoods that measure 23" in length each, with a small divider running between them. They are stocked with an 18" 15w bulb each. So, in other words, not NEAR enough light.

What, in your mind, is the cheapest and easiest way to go about changing things up so that I can get 100+ watts into my tank? I looked at several aquarium supply sites, but the main problem is, none of those retro-fits or bulbs seem to fit the setup I've got. I KNOW someone out there has to have had this problem before, because Im sure Walmart sells thousands of the 55g kits a year. Would I be able to find 18" 55w bulbs to put in my hoods? Or would i have to buy whole new hoods? Or what?

Any help is greatly appreciated!
_________________
~ Gabe

Black Tiger Oscar - currently 4"
Pictus Catfish - currently 4"
55gal w/ AC500
Hooray for sand and live plants!

Jchillin · 01-02-2005, 06:44 PM

I posted an answer in your other thread Gabe.

cgcaver · 01-02-2005, 06:47 PM

got it - thx man

01-02-2005, 06:39 PM	#1
cgcaver Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Starkville MS Posts: 71	Lighting- Ideas on fixing a 55g "walmart special"? I just switched my tank over to sand/driftwood/live plants this week, and my next project is making sure my lighting isn't total crap. I have a 55g (4' long, 1' wide) "Walmart Special" tank. Yeh, i know they aren't great, but I've had it for like 3 years now and it was given to me. Anywas, Im not sure if youre familiar with the way they are set up, but they have 2 lighted hoods that measure 23" in length each, with a small divider running between them. They are stocked with an 18" 15w bulb each. So, in other words, not NEAR enough light. What, in your mind, is the cheapest and easiest way to go about changing things up so that I can get 100+ watts into my tank? I looked at several aquarium supply sites, but the main problem is, none of those retro-fits or bulbs seem to fit the setup I've got. I KNOW someone out there has to have had this problem before, because Im sure Walmart sells thousands of the 55g kits a year. Would I be able to find 18" 55w bulbs to put in my hoods? Or would i have to buy whole new hoods? Or what? Any help is greatly appreciated! _________________ ~ Gabe Black Tiger Oscar - currently 4" Pictus Catfish - currently 4" 55gal w/ AC500 Hooray for sand and live plants!

01-02-2005, 06:44 PM	#2
Jchillin Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York, NY (The Big Apple) Posts: 12,976 Images: 47	I posted an answer in your other thread Gabe. __________________ _________________________________

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01-02-2005, 06:47 PM	#3
cgcaver Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Starkville MS Posts: 71	got it - thx man