DIY Compact Fluorescent (CFL) Strip Light Retrofit

Crappy pic but u get the idea. I have both. The ecos and the n:visions. 5000k and 5500k

051.JPG
 
Looks good to me! If its personal preference, then just try looking for bulbs with higher K ratings...
 
Fixed it! The middle group of plastic plants were givin off a weird glow. The ones on the right are light green too. Theyre also given off that glow look. I pulled the middle ones now the tank looks a lil better. ...Weird huh?...In time Ill replace the fakes with real plants.
 
Exactly what I'm doing. I have a couple fake plants in the tank still until I get some more real ones. My only dilemma would be not having enough light for tall/large leaved plants (i have a tall tank, about 24" tall) So I dont know if the fakes in the back will ever come out...

Glad you solved your problem
 
Thanx! Ive already started. You can see my reals in the front. Im waiting for some good plant sales on here.
 
I am trying to do this project however i ran in to some problems. My 72 gallon bow front tank has only one hood about 28 inch in length. The plan was to put in four 26w 6500 bulbs inside the hood.

The problem I ran in to is that the bulbs are just to big. Any of the bulbs after 15w become to wide to fit in the hood with out touching plastic. I want to try growing real plants in the tank but with only four 15w bulbs in a 72g tank i believe that light would not be adequate. I could build a new hood for the back area of the tank however it would be complicated and very time consuming. Plus running a table saw and everything in my apartment is a pain. Anyone have any ideas?
 
BELLUM said:
I am trying to do this project however i ran in to some problems. My 72 gallon bow front tank has only one hood about 28 inch in length. The plan was to put in four 26w 6500 bulbs inside the hood.

The problem I ran in to is that the bulbs are just to big. Any of the bulbs after 15w become to wide to fit in the hood with out touching plastic. I want to try growing real plants in the tank but with only four 15w bulbs in a 72g tank i believe that light would not be adequate. I could build a new hood for the back area of the tank however it would be complicated and very time consuming. Plus running a table saw and everything in my apartment is a pain. Anyone have any ideas?
Click to expand...
What I've done in the past is find a used light strip on craigslist and just used two. Hopefully something like that will work for you on this odd shaped tank.
 
I did this on a 48" long fixture and put daylight 14 watts bulbs for my 100 gal and still looks dark. I may need to change the bulbs to higher wattage. I may get some at the website mentioned on the beginning of this threat.
 
Navyscuba said:
I did this on a 48" long fixture and put daylight 14 watts bulbs for my 100 gal and still looks dark. I may need to change the bulbs to higher wattage. I may get some at the website mentioned on the beginning of this threat.
Click to expand...
You can try higher wattage, or use two light strips. On my 75g, I went out and bought those cheap walmart strip lights and retrofitted those. Works great.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom