How many watts per gallon is TOO much?

[emilyekk]

I have been looking for a (cheap) better lighting system for my planted tank for a few weeks now.


I know 2 watts per gallon is what you want to shoot for, but what is the MOST watts per gallon you should have, or is there a limit?

I found a cheap temporary (I think it's a halogen) light for $15 at home depot, but it's 250W... and I have a 55 gallon tank. At the store tonight I figured that was probably overkill... but could I get away with it until I could afford better lighting? Or would I be blinding my fish? lol.

[jpappy789]

You'd grow a lot of algae with that lighting.

There's really no set limit, on either end of the spectrum, but keep in mind that the more lighting you have the more balance you will need to meet the other plants needs (Co2, ferts) which means a lot of work in the end. Shoot for about half as much light.

[emilyekk]

You'd grow a lot of algae with that lighting.

There's really no set limit, on either end of the spectrum, but keep in mind that the more lighting you have the more balance you will need to meet the other plants needs (Co2, ferts) which means a lot of work in the end. Shoot for about half as much light.


well, I am basically planning to save up for a much better lightening system. I'm thinking in about 2-5 months I would have the money, would it be okay to use the mega light (Lol) for that long? In your opinion, do you think it would affect the water temp?

[petluvr]

As I stated in you other thread you can go to wal mart and get a shop light with a total of 80 something watts that would work great.

[jpappy789]

Thats just too much light...you'll have an algae outbreak within no time unless you plan on buying a pressurized CO2 system and bulk ferts.

[emilyekk]

As I stated in you other thread you can go to wal mart and get a shop light with a total of 80 something watts that would work great.


I went there (and home depot, and lowes) tonight and looked at shop lights.

The MAXIMUM wattage for all the shop lights they sold was 32W, so 64W total... I was hoping for more like 40W a bulb, 80 total.


So I guess I won't be doing shop lights. :/

Which is why I was asking if that would be too much wattage because I am still attempting to come up with a temporary solution until I can afford better lights with the wattage I need.

[jpappy789]

If you are just growing low light plants 64w is perfectly fine.

[petluvr]

Even though the box says 32 watt I buy the 40 watt bulbs and they work fine.

[emilyekk]

I realizing this is kind of asking about old stuff from that other thread, but also the shop lights they sold didnt have ANY like edges or raise to them, so I would literally probably just be setting the lights directly on the glass canopy.

Is that going to break the glass overtime or hurt anything?

I know someone had suggested wooden blocks to elevate the lights but after seeing the way the fixtures were, that wouldn't really work because it would still be directly touching the bulb.

OR the only other option I saw were these square shop lights that were covered (remind me of something you'd see in a classroom: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100063004&N=10000003+90401+502059

but, I wonder if those would diffuse the light too much? Do you think you'd be getting less watts per gallon because its covered? That light too was only up to 64 watts total so I just wonder.

[Riiz]

I went there (and home depot, and lowes) tonight and looked at shop lights.

The MAXIMUM wattage for all the shop lights they sold was 32W, so 64W total... I was hoping for more like 40W a bulb, 80 total.


So I guess I won't be doing shop lights. :/

Which is why I was asking if that would be too much wattage because I am still attempting to come up with a temporary solution until I can afford better lights with the wattage I need.

The 32watt bulbs are actually more powerful (more output) than 40 watts, T8 > T12 btw. Usually Walmarts have the shoplights that have enough of a lip to support the bulbs off of the glass.

[emilyekk]

The 32watt bulbs are actually more powerful (more output) than 40 watts, T8 > T12 btw. Usually Walmarts have the shoplights that have enough of a lip to support the bulbs off of the glass.


What did you think about the lights in the link I posted? Would that work?

[Riiz]

What did you think about the lights in the link I posted? Would that work?

Site was down, cant comment on them.

[SMinNC]

This one at home depot would be cool and get any hot rodder friends, approval. ;)

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?jspStoreDir=hdus&catalogId=10053&productId=100043531&navFlow=3&keyword=shop%2Blight&langId=-1&searchRedirect=shop+light&storeId=10051&endecaDataBean=com.homedepot.sa.el.wc.catalog.bean s.EndecaDataBean%40234a1930&ddkey=THDStoreFinder

[emilyekk]

Ahahaa, that was the one I was actually looking at because it kind of had an edge to it that would lift it off the glass but it was only 64watts, l ol. Which I guess now it okay because it's a 78bulb? Do you think I could spray paint that black?

I also wanted to post this link again and get your thoughts since I guess the link was down last night?
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100063004&N=10000003+90401+502059


Thanks guys---again, any and all input is welcome!!

[SMinNC]

That lense does say Clear finish. If what I'm seeing is a clear smooth finish. As in just plain transparent acrylic. It should work just fine.

And yes, you could paint the fixture. Actually, painting it black and leaving the raised diamonds chrome, crossed my mind while looking at it.

[SMinNC]

Ahahaa, that was the one I was actually looking at because it kind of had an edge to it that would lift it off the glass but it was only 64watts...

It says... Uses (2) 40 watt T12 bulbs

Also... Comes with chain hangers.

The hangers would be nice. On maintenance day, you could raise it high enough to work in the tank. Which is good to see what your doing. ;)

Oh yea, and the Lense you were looking at.
It said...
Acrylic replacement lens. This has item no. 2551983, use with 324925 and 324930 light fixtures only.

I couldn't find those product numbers. This might not/ probably won't, work with that fixture?

Edit: Not that you couldn't make it work! ;)

[emilyekk]

It says... Uses (2) 40 watt T12 bulbs

Also... Comes with chain hangers.

The hangers would be nice. On maintenance day, you could raise it high enough to work in the tank. Which is good to see what your doing. ;)

Oh yea, and the Lense you were looking at.
It said...
Acrylic replacement lens. This has item no. 2551983, use with 324925 and 324930 light fixtures only.

I couldn't find those product numbers. This might not/ probably won't, work with that fixture?



As for that link, I actually meant that as a separate lighting fixture, it took 2 32W bulbs too and was just encased in that housing, it was the only picture I could find.... it reminds me of lights in a grade school classroom or above a sink...

I can't hang anything from our ceiling unfortunately because it would block a shelp behind the tank (full of dvd's) and the roommates would like that, lol. BUT - I was wondering if I did get that, and then down the line bought a canopy to cover the tank, could I chain it into the canopy perhaps? My mom thought that would make it get way to hot but I didn't know for sure.

And SMinNC, I don't know why it says uses 40 watt bulbs but I thought thats what it used too, but when I pysically went to home depot it said 2 32W and I could even find anything with a greater wattage than that... :(

[Hebily]

Something to keep in mind - as others have suggested - is that the 'watt per gallon' rule was derived when incandescent lighting was pretty much the only option. The light output per watt of flourescent bulbs is much greater. It also varies based on the type of flourescent. You're current lighting should be fine for those plants. If you want to upgrade when you can afford it, that should be fine, too, but you might need to look at co2 and ferts.

[clb2196]

Emily- is 80 watts enough? Because the cfl upgrade I just did is 80 watts, cost $25, and I swear to God it's really easy. I'll even walk you through the whole thing.

ETA: Assuming you have *some* hood- you do right, the one that came with it?

[emilyekk]

Emily- is 80 watts enough? Because the cfl upgrade I just did is 80 watts, cost $25, and I swear to God it's really easy. I'll even walk you through the whole thing.

ETA: Assuming you have *some* hood- you do right, the one that came with it?


Yes, I have the two standard hoods that come with a 55 gallon...

I am afraid I know nada about cfl's... enlighten me. ;)

[SMinNC]

...the cfl upgrade I just did is 80 watts, cost $25... I'll even walk you through the whole thing.


That looks like the right path to take.

Cheap! Use most of what you already have, and get to learn something. :)

[emilyekk]

That looks like the right path to take.

Cheap! Use most of what you already have, and get to learn something. :)


Yea if I wouldn't have to replace my hoods it would definitely keep my boyfriend from wigging out... lol. =) Hopefully I can figure out how to do it!?

[clb2196]

I basically followed this: http://www.aquariumlife.net/projects/diy-lighting/55.asp

Here's my thread: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=200542

you'd do basically the same thing, but pout on set in each hood. You can use something better for a reflector like ace suggested, but for the type of tanks either of us has, I don't think it'll matter.

the only remotely complicated part about the whole thing is how to hang the lights, and if your hood has vents you should be able to use zip ties, as Ace aslo suggested. In that case, just skip the electrical tape I bought and get zip ties. Or even metal wire.

[emilyekk]

I basically followed this: http://www.aquariumlife.net/projects/diy-lighting/55.asp

Here's my thread: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=200542

you'd do basically the same thing, but pout on set in each hood. You can use something better for a reflector like ace suggested, but for the type of tanks either of us has, I don't think it'll matter.

the only remotely complicated part about the whole thing is how to hang the lights, and if your hood has vents you should be able to use zip ties, as Ace aslo suggested. In that case, just skip the electrical tape I bought and get zip ties. Or even metal wire.


I have vents in my hoods - if I were to do the tin foil I would need to cut some holes for the vents right?


Can you tell me approx how long this took u?

[clb2196]

I have vents in my hoods - if I were to do the tin foil I would need to cut some holes for the vents right?


Can you tell me approx how long this took u?

Yeah I just made tiny slits in the foil. It took maybe 20 minutes? Took me longer to go to Lowes and buy the stuff (I just asked where everything was, couldn't find it) than it did to make.

[SMinNC]

Heres a good'n.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147012