Help a Beginner with Lighting?

[captaincritical]

Hellohello,

I'd like to preface this by saying that I know next to nothing about aquarium lighting. I've read a few basic articles so I understand a little, but not a whole lot. That being said, if you've got any links to articles that won't confuse the heck out of me, they'd be much appreciated.

To put it bluntly, my aquarium lighting is terrible. I've got a Perfecto brand hood and I'm using the stock light that came with it, which as far as I can tell is a cheap, 20W, 24" fluorescent bulb. The top of my tank looks decent, but any fish that swim below the middle are washed-out and almost completely lost against my black substrate and background. Tank dimensions are 36" W x 12" D x 19" H.

The only way my tank looks well-lit to me is when I have on the desk lamp next to it, which has a warmer-toned light that reflects beautifully off the scales of the fish.

I don't currently have plants (for obvious reasons), but in the future I'd like to try my hand at some low-light varieties like anubias, java fern, a moss of some sort, etc. I want low-light plants so that I don't have to worry about a CO2 system just yet.

Basically, my questions are as follows:

- Can I replace the bulb in my current unit with a better bulb or do I have to buy a new unit entirely?

- Do I have to buy aquarium bulbs specifically, or can I go to a hardware store and browse what they have?

- What would you suggest as the lowest-cost option for decent lighting for me?

Thanks, everybody! I don't know what I'd do without you to ask.

 

[Brookster123]

I'm guessing you'll regret putting any more toonies into anything that will not grow plants for your future self! Trust me! Would you be willing to spend $150 on something awesome that you will not have to replace for years? Also which I will gaurantee your liking of?!?

 

[captaincritical]

I would be but I'm not so sure the boyfriend would, haha. What did you have in mind?

 

[Brookster123]

First, fugeray planted plus, but! Buttt for your boyfriend.. The current sat+ will simulate sunrise-sunset, has a remote.. Cool stuff I like remotes..

 

[Hulka9]

I put two 10 watt compact fluorescent bulbs (spiral bulbs for lamps) in my hood that came with my 10 gallon tank and my low light plants did awesome. I grew water sprite, crypts, and multiple kinds of moss.

 

[captaincritical]

I put two 10 watt compact fluorescent bulbs (spiral bulbs for lamps) in my hood that came with my 10 gallon tank and my low light plants did awesome. I grew water sprite, crypts, and multiple kinds of moss.

Forgive me if this is the dumbest question in history, but did you just put one in each end of the fixture? Or did your fixture hold two strip lights?

 

[Brookster123]

Think they're referring to a dual bulb hood, not flourecent..

 

[captaincritical]

Think they're referring to a dual bulb hood, not flourecent..

That's what I was thinking. It made less sense the longer I thought about it. Thanks!

 

[Hulka9]

Sorry, missed the part that said it used 24" bulbs! Haha

 

[Mr Fisher]

Is the bulb new?

I've got a tank with similar dimensions as yours just 6 inches narrower. I bought a 17W super sun or whatever bulb and it gave off terrible light. The all glass aquarium bulb I have is like 5 times brighter and is able to sustain plant growth. Moral of my story is some bulbs are better than others.

24" T8 single bulb fixture btw

 

[Mr Fisher]

I've got two of these above my 55

http://www.amazon.com/Lights-America-RB17T8GL-6-24-Inch-Replacement/dp/B00AGJ0VTU

Very bright and awesome. Good pant growth too, I'm getting like an inch plus a week from some cabomba cuttings

^ 2 lit

^ just 1 lit

Keep in mind I don't have these lights in a hood even

This isn't a display tank or anything. I just use it to grow random plants I sell

 

[captaincritical]

Is the bulb new?

I've got a tank with similar dimensions as yours just 6 inches narrower. I bought a 17W super sun or whatever bulb and it gave off terrible light. The all glass aquarium bulb I have is like 5 times brighter and is able to sustain plant growth. Moral of my story is some bulbs are better than others.

24" T8 single bulb fixture btw

It is a new bulb; I bought the hood itself only a few months ago.

Do you think I could put a different 24" bulb in there and have it work? A T8 like you mentioned, for example? I know bulbs aren't universal so I'm a little confused as to whether I can just swap out bulbs or not.

Thanks very much for the help, everyone!

 

[Mr Fisher]

It is a new bulb; I bought the hood itself only a few months ago.

Do you think I could put a different 24" bulb in there and have it work? A T8 like you mentioned, for example? I know bulbs aren't universal so I'm a little confused as to whether I can just swap out bulbs or not.

Thanks very much for the help, everyone!

Yeah, the bulb in it now is likely a T8. IF you look on the bulb itself there should be some information.

I'd just try a different bulb opposed to spending oddles on a new set up if your budget is tight.

HEre's a chart on bulb applicaion

Aquarium Lighting: Fluorescent Bulb Selection Guide

I'd pick up either a 5000 or 5500K bulb. Petco is liquidating their florescent stu now I believe or you could find something on Amazon.

The one I tried and hated was the Zoo med 6500k Ultra sun. It straight up is blue! Terrible waste of 16 bucks

 

[captaincritical]

I'll have a look around, thank you! That chart is quite helpful.

Petco is a no-go for me up here in the great white north, but Amazon should work!

 

[Mr Fisher]

I'll have a look around, thank you! That chart is quite helpful.

Petco is a no-go for me up here in the great white north, but Amazon should work!

Good luck with it!

I'm no planted tank expert but I have lots of experience with what's considered "low tech" plants and set ups

 

[captaincritical]

Low tech is definitely what I'm going for, so this is perfect. Thanks again!

 

[Mr Fisher]

Low tech is definitely what I'm going for, so this is perfect. Thanks again!

Anytime! HEre's some great info to help you along your journey

 

[captaincritical]

Okay, so after doing some browsing, I'm wondering if there's a limit to the wattage of bulb I can put in my fixture.

Here's a picture of my bulb. Unfortunately there's no information printed on the fixture anywhere to help me.

Mr Fisher, the bulbs you use are 42 watts. Do you think I should try them or are there wattage limitations built into fixtures?

 

[Mr Fisher]

Okay, so after doing some browsing, I'm wondering if there's a limit to the wattage of bulb I can put in my fixture.

Here's a picture of my bulb. Unfortunately there's no information printed on the fixture anywhere to help me.

Mr Fisher, the bulbs you use are 42 watts. Do you think I should try them or are there wattage limitations built into fixtures?

Bulb info

Manufacturer: Marineland
Model Number: F18T8 Natural Daylight
Wattage: 18W
Lamp Type: Fluorescent
Base: Medium Bi-pin
Factory Location: China
Colour Temperature: 5000K
Lamp Shape: T8


The bulbs I have over the 55

Manufacturer: Lights of America
Model Number: RB17T8GL
Wattage: 17W
Lamp Type: Fluorescent
Base: Medium Bi-pin
Factory Location: USA
Colour Temperature: 5500K
Lamp Shape: T8

The amazon thing is a misprint. Info above came directly from the packaging ( I save everything)

On the package it states it's the to 75 watts of lighting. So by the 2 watts per gallon rule of thumb. It's good for up to a 35 gallon or so tank.

 

[captaincritical]

Beautiful, thank you! You've helped me (and my tank) so much!