View Full Version : Need to upgrade my lighting....
James0816
09-11-2007, 9:09 AM
I have finally determined to upgrade my lighting to accomidate the variety of plants I have. I currently have a 29g tank with standard 17w light. I've read about a DIY kit but not sure I would be able to accomplish that task. So...with that...I am looking to probably get in the 55w+ range but not pay an arm and a leg. I just have seen so many lights out there but not sure which one to pick up. Can someone lend some helpfull advise?
Thx
echoofformless
09-11-2007, 11:37 AM
Get a Coralife Aqualight or a Current Satellite power compact fixture. You'll have 65w for about $60-70.
James0816
09-11-2007, 2:29 PM
will this sit on my existing hood or will i have to scrap that completely?
Do you have just a glass canopy, or a full hood? They will sit on top of a glass canopy, but won't work with a full hood.
I just ordered a Coralife Aqualight yesterday, I should get it by the end of the week.
James0816
09-11-2007, 2:37 PM
I have the standard hood/light setup that comes with the tank.
The 'standard' hood/light that came with my tank consisted of a glass canopy and a separate light fixture. Is yours all one piece?
Nolapete
09-11-2007, 2:46 PM
Ahsupply.com for retrofit kits. check them out before you decide on anything. lightbulbsdirect.com for bulbs.
James0816
09-11-2007, 3:10 PM
fgump - mine is a two piece unit. glass/plastic canopy with a seperate light.
nolapete - in regards to the retro kits. i've looked at those but not sure i feel comfortable with it. are they hard to do?
James0816
09-11-2007, 3:21 PM
I just ordered a Coralife Aqualight yesterday, I should get it by the end of the week.
where did you wind up ordering from if you don't mind my asking?
fgump - mine is a two piece unit. glass/plastic canopy with a seperate light.
Some come with a full hood, which is why I asked. As you would need different options with a full hood.
Since you have a glass/plastic canopy, I assume this is flush with the top of the tank? If so, all you need is something like this (the one I just purchased):
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=9871
And one last question. You said the canopy is glass/plastic. If it is plastic, that might cause problems from the heat of the light and you should get a glass one. If you do need to replace the canopy, you can use one of these:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=13818
My canopy is glass, so I didn't have to purchase a new one.
James0816
09-12-2007, 9:42 AM
definately like the looks of the first one. will have to get the glass canopy as well. would hate to leave the tank uncovered. i found a web site that has them listed for $59. Big Al's. Anyone hear of them?
i have a 29 gallon tank. what i did is that i won an oceanic twin tube light off ebay (42 dollars w/ shipping) and put in 2 phillips bulbs from home depot (5 dollars/each). in addition to that, i went to petsmart with a online price match from their website and bought a 20" incandescent hood (10 bucks). went back to the home depot (aka, BORG) and bought 2 screw-in cf bulbs (5500k @ 5 dollars each). tanks looks awesome now. grand total: 72 dollars for roughly 2.5 wpg. not bad at all i think...
best part of this setup is you can customize the bulbs and stagger them so as the day progresses you can kill one bulb at a time, which in a way simulates conditions in nature. i like the setup myself and i recommend it.
Big Al's. Anyone hear of them?
A lot of people here recommend Big Al's. I've never used them. But I'd say it's safe to order from them based off others here who have ordered from them.