I just converted a 46 gallon bow front tank to a planted freshwater tank. In doing some research I realized that my 40W fluorescent bulb in my 36" hood light was not going to cut it. I found that I needed around 3W/gal which for my tank would be just under 150W.
I searched around on the net and found that hood lights were very expensive, starting at almost $200 and going up from there. Continuing my education I found an article on aquarium lighting. A part of the article showed CFL lighting used in a large aquarium.
I continued looking and found out that Lowe's carries a line of high output CFL's rated at 6,500k daylight. So, I went to my local Lowe's today and for $16.87 purchased 2 Bright Effects Daylight 6,500k 75W bulbs ($3.98 each). These screw directly into a normal light bulb socket and do not require an external ballast. Then I purchased 2 single light fixtures with twist type on/off knobs ($3.56 each). Finally I purchased 1 extension cord for $1.79.
When I got home I removed everything from my 36" light. I lightly shaped the reflector so the new lights would fit better. I drilled holes throught the plastic at the ends of the light and mounted the light fixtures. Wired it all up using the original cord from the light and the extension cord. Now I have 150W of 6,500k light for my plants.
I have attached pictures of everything I used and the hood itself. Like I said, I am new to this so only time will tell if the plants in the tank like the new light. It is certainly a lot brighter than it was with the standard 40W light. And I spent less than $17 instead of $200.
I have 4 plants in the tank - a Kleiner Bar Sword, a Moneywort, 2 Mongo Grass and a 4th that I do not know the name of. If anyone recognizes the plant with the red on the left side of the tank in the picture, please let me know.
Freddy
I searched around on the net and found that hood lights were very expensive, starting at almost $200 and going up from there. Continuing my education I found an article on aquarium lighting. A part of the article showed CFL lighting used in a large aquarium.
I continued looking and found out that Lowe's carries a line of high output CFL's rated at 6,500k daylight. So, I went to my local Lowe's today and for $16.87 purchased 2 Bright Effects Daylight 6,500k 75W bulbs ($3.98 each). These screw directly into a normal light bulb socket and do not require an external ballast. Then I purchased 2 single light fixtures with twist type on/off knobs ($3.56 each). Finally I purchased 1 extension cord for $1.79.
When I got home I removed everything from my 36" light. I lightly shaped the reflector so the new lights would fit better. I drilled holes throught the plastic at the ends of the light and mounted the light fixtures. Wired it all up using the original cord from the light and the extension cord. Now I have 150W of 6,500k light for my plants.
I have attached pictures of everything I used and the hood itself. Like I said, I am new to this so only time will tell if the plants in the tank like the new light. It is certainly a lot brighter than it was with the standard 40W light. And I spent less than $17 instead of $200.
I have 4 plants in the tank - a Kleiner Bar Sword, a Moneywort, 2 Mongo Grass and a 4th that I do not know the name of. If anyone recognizes the plant with the red on the left side of the tank in the picture, please let me know.
Freddy
