Bit of a newb with 10g!

[emo]

Hey... i've been searching these forums for a while, and there's LOADS of great replies to questions similar than this... but i can't find any for what I need!

Basically... i've got an 18"x12"x12" tank with this hood.

I'm REALLY puzzled about lighting this bad boy however. So please be gentle

It's going to be planted so i'll need say 30w+ i'd imagine? Now i'm assuming if it's 30w i'll need 2x 15w bulbs... as 18" bulbs are 15w, no more no less... right?
If I needed more than 30w, how could I do this? Is it even possible? :?

If I was going for 2x 15w.. would this suffice? (VisiLux Twin 14/15w T8 (1in.) Light Unit)

Last question... with an 18" tank... would 18" tubes fit?... My new hood *should* arrive tomorrow so i'll be able to post exact measurements... but i'm not sure if 18" tubes would be a squeeze in an 18" tank!!

Sorry for so many questions... i'm desperate to get this tank up and cycling!!

 

[MantisX]

I have an ahsupply 1X36 watt light in my 10 gallon hood. Fits perfect, but it is DIY meaning you have to do "some" fitting. Not much other than drilling 2 mounting holes and minor wiring up. Check them out at www.ahsupply.com. With that light, you should have 3.6 watts per gallon. Also you get a very sweet reflector that makes it even more efficient.

 

[Todd2]

Welcome to aquarium advice emo!

Your tank is somewhere in the 10-15 gallon range? If you go higher than 2+ wpg than you will need CO2. 30 watts would be enough. 18" bulbs are 15W. If you need more than 30 watts you could get a compact fluorescent setup from www.ahsupply.com. I highly recommend reading Rex Griggs faq www.RexGrigg.com. Hope this helps and good luck with everything.

 

[malkore]

Good advice guys.

You could also but a coralife freshwater aqualight fixture, sites like www.hellolights.com have some pretty good pricing for that stuff.

If you're 'handy' you could also build a simple wood canopy for under $30, and install ANY kind of lighting you want. I recently did this with my 29gallon...just used super cheap 2x20 watt fluorescent fixtures from a Home Depot. The fixtures were on sale for $8.96...so I have 4 20watt bulbs over my 29gallon - 80 watts, in a mix of GE plant and daylight tubes, for relatively little money. It'd also be simple to mount an AHsupply.com kit in a canopy.

 

[emo]

Brilliant... thanks so much for your help everyone.

I think i'll go for dual 15w... now to decide on the bulbs! Hah

I'll post some pictures when it's all set up.



Thanks again