building a light enclosure, enough light?

A

andyjh

AC Members
Feb 18, 2009
574
3
18
Massachusetts
I've got a 33 gal flat back hex tank that has never had the proper sized light over it. (tank's 36 inches wide). I'm going to build an enclosure and was wondering if (4) 13 watt cfl spiral bulbs would be enough for a low-light effort. I'm not looking to go high-tech with this tank, but would like enough light for some java fern and maybe some rotala rotundifolia. (or would a combination of (2) 13 watt and (2) 26 watt be a better idea. Goal is to place four bulbholders, so any suggestions how to fill them would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Andy
 
Each bulb will be kind of weak (not much light pennitration), but if going very low light (Java fern, crytps, ect) probable would be OK.
 
I went on a fact-finding mission to Lowes, and they don't carry the double lamp holders that I know I've seen used for the CFL's. Anyone know where I can find them?
 
You probably will have to up the light amount. Hex tanks are generally deeper than wide. This means that you need more light intensity to penetrate down to the substrate.

How many inches deep is it?
 
Actually, it's a flat-back hex, so it's 36 inches wide. I decided to purchase a kit from AH supply instead of doing the spiral CFL's. More money of course, but those are really great kits and Kim from AH Supply couldn't be any more helpful.
Andy
 
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