How to get more light?

[kimberly]

I have a 58 gal that I want to set up as a planted tank. Original plan was to keep in a room that gets tons of natural light in addition to replacing the standard bulbs in the light with "plant lights" (standard ballast, 2 18" bulbs). Plans changed and aquarium is going to be in a room with very little natural light. I have the two plant light bulbs, but they only total 30w, which I know is too low for a 58 gal. I don't really want to spend a lot of $$, so are there any cheaper ways to add light?

Thanks,
Kimberly

 

[hashbaz]

I don't really want to spend a lot of $$, so are there any cheaper ways to add light?

no [sobbing quietly] I wish there was. The best I have found is to fork over the $$ for compact fluorescent at BigAlsOnline.com.

Does your tank have a full-size hood? If so you might be able to add some shop lights pretty cheep.

 

[rcjubei]

Check this site out, might have what your looking (retrofit kit) for at a reasonable price.

http://www.hellolights.com/index.html

 

[Jchillin]

I've been able to grab a couple 48" 40w bulbs online as well. $$$ wasn't an issue as I needed the wattage (I have a 75gal tank). Since I got them online, I did save a lot. I think the bulbs were $18 ea at bigals.

 

[kimberly]

Does your tank have a full-size hood? If so you might be able to add some shop lights pretty cheep.

My tank's full size hood is broken, so I only have a half top right now while I look for a new one. Since it is an unusual size it has been harder to find a lid. (I think the measurements are 18" x 36"). What are shop lights?

I will look online at the bulbs as well. Do they make higher wattage bulbs in 18"? I didn't see that, but I was looking while my kids were climbing on me so I was a bit distracted.

Thanks again.
Kimberly

 

[Jchillin]

What brand hood is it? You may be able to find something that matches or replaces your current one.

 

[travis simonson]

Here are a few links to 36" 96 watt compact fluorescent fixtures for sale on AquaBid. The first one is used, but the price is very affordable:

http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.cgi?lighting&1116201394

http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.cgi?lighting&1116255001

 

[kimberly]

I am wondering if I could use a stand light that I currently have in the room? It is just a regular floor lamp with three light fixtures. I think that they make "plant lights" that can be bought at a place like Home Depot that I could screw into the lamp and have it next to the aquarium with the lights shining in. Would something like that work?

I am not only trying to be cheap, but also trying to not buy any more equipment.

Thanks,
Kimberly

 

[travis simonson]

That would definitely work but you would have to use more than the standard wattage to achieve the same thing you would with dedicated CF lighting. That said, quite a few people are doing just what you suggest very successfully

 

[hashbaz]

What are shop lights?

"shop lights" are the cheap, simple fluorescent lights/fixtures. They come without any covers etc. When I was looking at Lowes and Home Depot, shop lights only seem cost effective at 48". The shorter ones were more expensive.

 

[kimberly]

Well, for now I am using the stand light with 2 60 watt "plant grow bulbs" pointed right at the tank. I also have 2 15 watt cfs on the top. Does that sound like a decent amount of light? I know it is not the best set up, but for now it is the most cost effective if it works. The tank is a 58 gal.

Thanks,
Kimberly

 

[Guest]

Well, for now I am using the stand light with 2 60 watt "plant grow bulbs" pointed right at the tank. I also have 2 15 watt cfs on the top. Does that sound like a decent amount of light? I know it is not the best set up, but for now it is the most cost effective if it works. The tank is a 58 gal.

I'm having a hard time visualizing this, do you have a pic you could post?


I have succesfully used stand lights on one of my tanks (sorry no pic, I'll do my best to describe). The tank is a 25 gallon plexiglass hex, 2 ft. high. I had 2 goose neck (bendable post) stand lamps, 1 on each side of the tank. In each lamp I had a 19 watt cf indoor/outdoor floodlight bulb, 1.12 wpg. I grew many types of plants in there, mostly low-light; java fern, 6-8 types of crypts, sag. subulata. Surprisingly, I even had a patch of riccia that grew just fine in there too, although it only pearled a few times. The only reason the tank is not in use now is that I had too many tanks going there for a while, had to cut back some due to time constraints. I'd gladly do that setup again if I had time to properly maintain it.

 

[kimberly]

How do I add pictures? I took a picture of my set up to show you guys. I tried to upload it to my gallery and got the following message. The pic is only 159 kb.

Fatal error: Allowed memory size of 33554432 bytes exhausted (tried to allocate 6648 bytes) in /home/aquarium/public_html/photopost/image-inc.php on line 115

So what am I doing wrong?
Kimberly