I have a 65 gallon that I just set up with some various plants just to see what would survive, what wouldn't. the amazon swords and the italian and corkscrew val's aren't doing so hot with my single 48" light that came with the tank. the bulb has no markings and the balast is a remote style in the chord so it's fairly old and probably a low wattage. I've been reading some posts on here about cheap alternatives and DIY systems. I read about some 96 watt single bulb setup kits that are around $60 and such but I also saw many recommendations to Home depot so since Home Depot is just next door to where I work, I ran over there to see what they have. They don't have any 48" lamps over 40 watts. I can get a dual bulb 40 watt setup for about $25 and building a hood to mount it to would be no problem but it seems that's less than recommended for plants. I checked out just building a system but they don't have much assortment of ballasts. Anything over 40 watts is listed for 6 or 8 foot bulbs. I'm no electrician although I can wire stuff up like this (ran the wiring for my bedroom when I built it) but can I use a ballast meant for 96" bulbs at 75 or so watts and use 48" bulbs instead? how does the ballast know? would that cause problems being that there is less gas to use? there are some more involved hardware stores around that I could check and maybe come up with some better stuff but this was just an idea since I was so close. I can't do anything this weekend anyway. Also, they had T-8 and T-12 design bulbs, is one better than another? I know I've been asked what size bulb I had before at Petsmart so they must make both. Another thing, Home Depot carried several 48" bulbs, one meant for aquariums and plantlife but they are 40 watt like their lamps. thanks for any advice or tips. KYle
DIY lighting/Home Depot
- Thread starter snakeskinner
- Start date
I didn’t read your entire post.
It looks like your looking towards overdriving your NO lights or it might be a good idea. I’ve been thinking about over driving some of my lights but haven’t done it yet. for more info look at this site. http://www.plantedtank.net/odno.html there is a good article with some pics on how to wire it all up. You might want to look at this article to http://www.plantedtank.net/lighting.html .
As for the plants you want. You need to get your lights and then base your plants off of that or find out what plants you want and set up the tank after your plant list.
If you want the best lighting for your tank you could give a call to http://ahsupply.com/ and it will have to be put into a wooden hood. I would give them a call because they have a lot of good info and can help you out a lot if you go that rout.
It looks like your looking towards overdriving your NO lights or it might be a good idea. I’ve been thinking about over driving some of my lights but haven’t done it yet. for more info look at this site. http://www.plantedtank.net/odno.html there is a good article with some pics on how to wire it all up. You might want to look at this article to http://www.plantedtank.net/lighting.html .
As for the plants you want. You need to get your lights and then base your plants off of that or find out what plants you want and set up the tank after your plant list.
If you want the best lighting for your tank you could give a call to http://ahsupply.com/ and it will have to be put into a wooden hood. I would give them a call because they have a lot of good info and can help you out a lot if you go that rout.
that's a very interesting alternative got_nailed. One question about those articles I need to ask them is why they recommend T-8's in the first article and T-12's in the second article. they contradict themselves on the specs. the t-8's would allow me more room to work with but it appears the t-12's would be easier to find bulbs for. I'll have to do some more checking but it sounds like I still may be able to run some good lighting on this tank and build a nice hood in the process. thanks, Kyle
Well the T-8’s are smaller than the T-12’s. I think the T-8’s are 1” 32 watts, the T-12 are 1 1/2” and 40 watts. You could pack the T-8’s closer together, giving more tubes in a smaller space. Yes the T12’s are easer to find in the 48” with the Plant & Aquarium and the Daylight Deluxe. The T-8’s are more efficient and produce a better lumens/watt ratting.
Don’t forget it’s the K rating you need to look for you need to check this number but I think something in the 5500 to 7000 range.
I have 2 shop light’s under my 75 gallon with 2 Plant & Aquarium and 2 Daylight Deluxe. Sunday I’m off to do some shopping and I’m going to get 2 electronic ballast and overdrive the one shop light and see how it works. This will get my WPG from 2.13 to about 2.74. If it works well and doesn’t get to hot I might overdrive all 4 of my 40 watt tubes.
In theory a 48” T-12 overdriven bulb will put out about 63 watts.
PS… don’t for get that a change in lights will change the amount of fertilization, C02, and all the other good things that keep the algae away.
Don’t forget it’s the K rating you need to look for you need to check this number but I think something in the 5500 to 7000 range.
I have 2 shop light’s under my 75 gallon with 2 Plant & Aquarium and 2 Daylight Deluxe. Sunday I’m off to do some shopping and I’m going to get 2 electronic ballast and overdrive the one shop light and see how it works. This will get my WPG from 2.13 to about 2.74. If it works well and doesn’t get to hot I might overdrive all 4 of my 40 watt tubes.
In theory a 48” T-12 overdriven bulb will put out about 63 watts.
PS… don’t for get that a change in lights will change the amount of fertilization, C02, and all the other good things that keep the algae away.