View Full Version : Wow, I didn't realize how different the tank would look with descent lighting.
NJ Devils Fan
02-28-2003, 8:49 PM
I just got back from Home Depot. I got a ballast the holds 2 bulbs. It cost $16.99. I also got two 6500K bulbs to put in it. I couldn't believe how much of a differenct it made in the tank. I also kept the old ballast with the one 40 watt bulb. I just moved it to where you open and close the lid. When I actually have to open it like to feed the fish, I can just put it on top of the new ballast. I can't believe how much of a difference it made. Thinking about it, it was a pretty big jump, going from 40 watts to 120. I hope the plants will do a bit better. They started to look a little brown, but I think that will greatly change.
Fishy3
02-28-2003, 8:58 PM
Well how about a before and after pic??? :D
NJ Devils Fan
02-28-2003, 8:59 PM
I know, I will give it in about 5 min after i take it and upload it to picture trail.
NJ Devils Fan
02-28-2003, 9:04 PM
Ok here are the before and after pics.
Before
http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL47/889630/1620657/20719349.jpg
After
http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL47/889630/1620657/20879786.jpg
O-man21
02-28-2003, 9:08 PM
WOW:eek: :eek: :eek:
It's amazing!
one minute you can think nothing is wrong. then the next, some real light reveals all the dark places, and then there is such a change that you can barely believe that you thought what was there before was light!
NJ did you get the fluourescent tubes from HD? or just the light fixture or what?
It even looks like the plants perked up in the after picture. I don't know if that's coincidence or what. What have you observed?
-Josh
Fishy3
02-28-2003, 11:48 PM
HOLY MOLY!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: That is sooooooooooo much better! WTG!!!! :D
Flohrie
03-01-2003, 3:36 AM
Those plants are definately stretching up for the light :D
NJ Devils Fan
03-01-2003, 6:52 AM
Thanks.
josh, I got the bulbs at HDat the same time. both of them came in a package together for about $5. I could believe how cheap everything was. I was expecting it to be at least $50.
Although it looks like the plants perked up from the light, the didn't. It was because the were curled up in the bag, and when I took them out and planted them, I took the pic right away, so the were curled. After a few days, they started to straighten out.
What were those bulbs called? I definately need to get a couple of them. I usually pay about 6-8$ per bulb for plant and aquarium lights, or daylight bulbs. $5 for two 6500K's would rock!
-Josh
NJ Devils Fan
03-01-2003, 8:32 AM
The bulbs that say (aquarium) bulbs mean nothing. They are just to make you think that they are special for your tank so you will pay more. Just go to HD and look at the bulbs that have. The temperature of the bulbs was 6500K. They were all very cheap, between $3 and $10. The $10 was the aquarium bulb. My dad was telling me to get it, but I know better. It turns out that I did the right thing.
kveeti
03-01-2003, 9:26 AM
Those are great pics, showing the difference.... Good for you, that looks wonderful now.
NJ Devils Fan
03-01-2003, 9:58 AM
Thanks kveeti
Slappy*McFish
03-01-2003, 12:28 PM
Big difference there....looks good...just remember when looking for plant lights, always look for full spectrum bulbs.....and lumens, CRI, PAR/PUR as well as color temperature(K) are all important factors to take into consideration. Not all "bright looking" bulbs are neccessarly better for the plants.
here is a great link about lighting.. http://www.aquabotanic.com/lightcompare.htm
nvision
03-01-2003, 1:01 PM
good stuff. the tank is now definately more vibrant and lively. i've done a diy thing like this before. the HDs in my area carry a tube called the sunlight tube, which comes in an orange colored slip cover. it was less than $7 each and has helped grow my 75g of ludwigias and hygros nicely.
your reaction was similar to mine when i eventually switched to CFs with 10,000k bulbs. http://members.aol.com/nightdog35/images/smiley_jawdrop.gif