SpeedEuphoria
Aquarium Advice Addict
So I'm pretty sure that I have a 18" 15w T8 8,000k bulb currently on my 10G, from the info I've found from others and All glass's site. My hood says 19w max on it, and I think I only saw one bulb available for it that was more than 15w and it was 18w. Not sure if thats even worth getting? I'm not looking to do much other than that unless I can find a cheap DIY setup using my current hood/fixture. Now I have seen some other options, like new hoods for ~$40-60 or a makeshift with new glass cover and "heat lamps", for now they are too much $$$. Just wondering if there are any other options for dirt cheap? Like something cheap to use for a better reflector? Mine is just white plastic, how about using alum foil on that? I may try it.
EDIT: I made an aluminum foil reflector, it can be removed if it doesnt work, I covered most of the fixture, even parts that were just black, it makes the light look more white instead of pink. Just wish I had some way to measure Lumens. I guess I'll just go off plant growth. Well after taking it apart its simple inside so maybe in the future I will make something worthwhile. Like convert that fixture to use 2x compact fluorescent bulbs, one on each end, that would be cheap I think. I have tools, a welder, extra wire and some metal to make some supports for them, then just wire it. Or are "U-shaped" fluorescent bulbs any good or available?
Currently I dont think I'm even close to having algae, I've had the light on for 13hrs for awhile.
Now the question is how much light can you go w/o needing co2 and ferts?(how would you know before trying it and having issues?)
Are ferts recommended for all lighting levels
Do you just keep adding light(hours) till you have algae or plants die off?
Then how can I tell if the plants are dying from too much light or not enough?
Or do they die form too much light which really means that they dont have enough food to use while in light? meaning the need for ferts
EDIT: I made an aluminum foil reflector, it can be removed if it doesnt work, I covered most of the fixture, even parts that were just black, it makes the light look more white instead of pink. Just wish I had some way to measure Lumens. I guess I'll just go off plant growth. Well after taking it apart its simple inside so maybe in the future I will make something worthwhile. Like convert that fixture to use 2x compact fluorescent bulbs, one on each end, that would be cheap I think. I have tools, a welder, extra wire and some metal to make some supports for them, then just wire it. Or are "U-shaped" fluorescent bulbs any good or available?
Currently I dont think I'm even close to having algae, I've had the light on for 13hrs for awhile.
Now the question is how much light can you go w/o needing co2 and ferts?(how would you know before trying it and having issues?)
Are ferts recommended for all lighting levels
Do you just keep adding light(hours) till you have algae or plants die off?
Then how can I tell if the plants are dying from too much light or not enough?
Or do they die form too much light which really means that they dont have enough food to use while in light? meaning the need for ferts
Last edited: