changing to a taller tank - have a WPG question

[noodles62]

I am changing out my 30 gallon tank for a 45 due to a defect (bowing). The 45 is 8 inches taller, but has the same bottom footprint. I currently have a single bulb perfecto light fixture w/ a 40W bulb in it. I have been told this is 1.3 WPG. What will I wind up with on the new tank? I have looked at bulbs that are compatible for this fixture (T8,10 & 12) and the highest they go is 30W? I cannot afford to upgarde my lighting at this time but do not want to sacrifice my plants. Any suggestions?
Current tank pic attached..........

[Draal5]

I would add a home depot $8.00 shop light or maybe 2 depending on the space on top of your tank that would give you 80w with each light. That is the cheapest short term.

the other thing you could do is build a canopy and use the wal-Mart cf bulbs then you could get the watts per gallon that you want. This is more expensive but could be the nicer looking of the options.
( Disclaimer LOL) depending on your wood working skill.

[noodles62]

I have no woodworking skills or tools and neither does the husband. He does have excellent sheet metal skills tho..........hhhmmmm. The tank is in my dining room so do not want it to look too "ghetto"; just does not go w/ the french country furniture! LOL

[gmh]

Changing the bulb probably won't do much assuming you already have a daylight bulb. A simple solution if money is tight is just add a second Perfecto strip alongside the first, assuming there is room. Would look pretty good and provide similar lighting to your 30G. Only good for low light plants however.

[Mgamer20o0]

try it. i would try shop lights too though.

[247Plants]

8 inches of water may not seem like much to the eye but its harsh on light. You can use what you have and good luck. But you really need more light.

[rickmorrison]

I have a 45 and wouldn't personally recommend it for a planted tank. You will need lots of light, at least the recommended 2 wpg because of the depth. I have a double-tube light fixture with 2 x 30w and it's really not enough. I can grow some plants but most tall plants are spindly and short ones just don't do well. (I also find it hard to maintain because of the depth. I really wish I would have gone with a 30 or a 38.)

[noodles62]

ugh! The tank has been ordered and will be in the next day or so. I am very leary of the 30's now due to the bowing I am seeing - the 45 at least has a center brace! I will do my best to modify/change out the lighting to up my WPG and hope for the best. My current plants are all low light, with the possible exception of the wisteria, which is doing beautifully at 1.3 wpg. I do not wish to tackle co2 or high tech stuff so low light is my only option.............thanks for the advice tho, I will keep it in mind as I look for lighting options.

[Fordtrannyman]

Hey noodles, is your Strip light an AGA or Perfecto?
If it is You can upgrade to 2.0+wpg for cheap.
Short trip to home depot;
1 Can Cheap High gloss white spray paint $1.99
4 Porcelain light sockets with the "L" bracket and leads $1.29 each
4pack 23 or 28 watt daylight spirals cf will fit in the strip light housing.

Remove the guts from the your housing. (Save the screws)
Paint the inside white and attach the sockets to the existing stand offs using the same screws.. Wire it up using existing wire.

Ba Da Bing.

[noodles62]

ooohhhhh...my light is a perfecto! wow! Thanks a bunch. I will print these instructions and place the mon the honey-do list! He loves playing w/ electricity anyway! Thanks fordtrannyman!

[noodles62]

ok - ftm, now I have a question. I just looked at my light again and the interior is reflective silver; why would painting it high gloss white be better? Do you mean to remove the reflector permanently? also the light only has one bulb now ; how do I fit 4/ 2 on each end? sorry, I guess I am a bit dense today!

[rickmorrison]

I'm going to give it a try, too. I think fordtrannyman meant 4 sockets/bulbs in a row. Should fit in the 36" long fixture and give you 4 x 23 ~ 92 watts or 2wpg. The spiral bulbs are "wider" than a tube so you probably have to remove the reflector to fit the bulbs inside. I have a double-tube fixture but it may still be too flat to fit the spiral bulbs without removing the existing reflector. I found a picture of a similar setup here: http://www.aquatic-eden.com/2006/09/cheap-lighting-for-plants-cf-sprial.html.

BTW, you may not find the 45 hard to maintain as I do. Maybe I just have short arms! I also have it on a taller cabinet so I always have to use a step stool to reach to the bottom of the tank.

rick

[noodles62]

the picture sure helps! Thanks for the link. hubby said he would prefer to just buy a new light! surprised he is volunteering to spend more $$ on my tank!! :omg:
but if he backs out I will be attempting this too. Please let me know how yours turns out.

[Mgamer20o0]

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123794