DIY Compact Fluorescent (CFL) Strip Light Retrofit

[BoredAgain]

Do you remember if you saw GE when you went to Home Depot???

They don't carry GE, unfortunately. I like the GE bulbs, but they are expensive compared to others. I'll stick to the cheaper ones, they work fine.

 

[naliel]

Ordered my light sockets and picked up my wire connectors. Gotta find the mounting zip ties. Since this is an old thread does anyone have some updated pics of the plants theyve grown?

Here is my 10 gl that I set up last week (01-29-10). I will keep taking pic's to see how my plants do under this light. I used two CPL 60w (actual output 14w each) 6500 K . 99 cents at walmart.

 

[AngeloG]

I tried out 2 of the bulbs over the tank. I had and old incandescent strip from a 10 gal. The lite doesnt look blue but does make the color of the plants pop. Still waiting on my sockets.

 

[WeedCali]

Here is my 10 gl that I set up last week (01-29-10). I will keep taking pic's to see how my plants do under this light. I used two CPL 60w (actual output 14w each) 6500 K . 99 cents at walmart.

Wow that looks nice. Pool filter sand?

 

[naliel]

Wow that looks nice. Pool filter sand?

No, in not. Is silica sand from the hardware store (menards).I got 50 lb of it for less than 5 bucks. It looks pretty cool.

 

[BoredAgain]

Here is my 10 gl that I set up last week (01-29-10). I will keep taking pic's to see how my plants do under this light. I used two CPL 60w (actual output 14w each) 6500 K . 99 cents at walmart.

I used two 14w bulbs over my 10g for a while, was way too much light, had to switch to two 9w bulbs.

 

[AngeloG]

I have all the parts to do this but I have to mount the lites in the hood because the holes inside dont line up for strip ties. Cant anyone tell me where to find nuts for the ends of the brackets? I already tried home depot.

 

[kreesdqban]

I added 1 more 14W CFL for more light output, it looks great! Thanks again BoredAgain

 

[AngeloG]

Everyones tank looks great.....Why does mine look yellowish?

 

[kreesdqban]

What temp are your bulbs? Mine are EcoSmart Daylight bulbs, but they are only 5000K. Not as high a K rating as I'd like, but it looks good nonetheless.

Do you have pics to post?