Good, Cheap 24" Light fixture???

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Sep 25, 2006
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What would be a good and cheap light fixture for my 20 gal high tank? I would want to grow live plants. Somewhere in the 1-2 wpg I guess is good. Help appreciated, thanks!
 
Ahhh...

Sorry, I don't really get it haha. Will you show me a picture of it or something like it please? I don't really get the parts you have. Pictures would greatly help!
Also, yeah like you said about the aluminum foil, I put some aluminum foil above the light, so it kind of reflects, does that actually help a lot?
 
I can't get pics up today, and I am going to be gone for the next few days, so just go to a hardware store like Lowes or Home Depot and ask for light sockets. Then get one that has a part to put in a light bulb on each side. Then get 2 of those screw in flourescent bulbs, look for 20 watts. They must be flourescent, not incandescent. Just ask them at the hardware store and they will know. Then when you get that stuff you will have to take apart your hood, remove the wiring from the old fixture, then wire in the new one. Its pretty simple just match up the colors of the wires.

EDIT: foil will help a little bit but it is pretty rough so it doesn;t reflect as good as a smooth flat surface. I use a piece of 1/8 inch sheet metal aluminum.

EDIT AGAIN: a reflector just helps reflect light into the tank. It won't increase the light at all.
 
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Ok.

Wait, will you just get me a picture for what I'm looking from like google. That would really help! Thanks again!
 
:(

I don't know how to do the wire stuff but I bet my dad does. Can the bulbs be also from that kind of store, or should they be aquarium lights? I bet they are much cheaper than at LFS. Please internet pictures? I can't go to a store like that for a little while since we will be gone for a few days. Pics please so I can check in garage if we have something like that :) if its not 2 much trouble.
 
I have bought a few rufurbished lights from Tricitytropicals.com. You can get a refurbished 24" 65watt PC with moon light fixture for 35.98 plus shipping.
 
Hmmm...

Is that a good light? What is the moon light thing? Isn't 65 watts a bit overkill for a 20 gallon high aquarium? Still for the DIY thing, I might choose that. It's cheaper. We will see. Oh and with this light the sunpaq one, what kind of hood would I need?
 
Any1 else?

Anyone else has ever done DIY lighting? How?
 
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