Good low cost lights for a 55gallon

looks like a good option (fishneedit)

gmh I have run into the 24"-36" issue before
particularly with tube lights like T-5,8,12.
I think the bulbs are the limiting factor so the choice is use 24" with a gap in light the legs may work for it or go for 36" with a bit of overhang on each end of the tank.

;)
 
Star_Rider said:
looks like a good option (fishneedit)

gmh I have run into the 24"-36" issue before
particularly with tube lights like T-5,8,12.
I think the bulbs are the limiting factor so the choice is use 24" with a gap in light the legs may work for it or go for 36" with a bit of overhang on each end of the tank.

;)
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I go with the overhang, just a bit of future-proofing, or put a small nano tank next to the 30" tank, hehe.
 
a 55 gallon is 4 feet long. so go to the home depot and get a shop light and some good plant bulbs for it. presto, you're in business.
 
fwiffo said:
a 55 gallon is 4 feet long. so go to the home depot and get a shop light and some good plant bulbs for it. presto, you're in business.
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I was going to but then i found out that they are only 24w for each bulb, that means i'll need 4 bulb to get about 2wpgthen some decent refletor, that's close to 80 after said and done...

There are a system for growing plant calls SunBlaze made by the same company that makes Tek light for aquarium. I found some 4x4bulb hanging fixture for $100

Good deal? has anyone used grow light on aquarium? I think all you need to do is buy a acrylic sheet lens thing from Homedepod to keep the moisture out and you watch plants grow.
 
kanvas said:
I was going to but then i found out that they are only 24w for each bulb, that means i'll need 4 bulb to get about 2wpgthen some decent refletor, that's close to 80 after said and done...

There are a system for growing plant calls SunBlaze made by the same company that makes Tek light for aquarium. I found some 4x4bulb hanging fixture for $100

Good deal? has anyone used grow light on aquarium? I think all you need to do is buy a acrylic sheet lens thing from Homedepod to keep the moisture out and you watch plants grow.
Click to expand...

Yup, you're right about the reflectors, the shoplights are horrible about getting the light focued into the tank. And when you do get your 4x54 watt fixture, 2 bulbs will most be all the light you need, CO2 or not.

I heard and seen the Sunblaze before, they're more suited for hydroponics, thats why they dont come with legs or an acrylic splashguard, but they have good reflectors and are easy on the wallet. If you hang them, you might not need the splashguard, depending on how much your fish splash or jump, and if any filters create any spray.
 
nice link shame they dont ship to the uk, prices here are double. You dont know how good u all got it!!!!!
 
petsmart sells light 'canopies' for reptiles by the maker exo-terra i believe, they come in 1, 2, and 3 socket setups. ($19, $34, $32) you could put 26 watts in them and depending on which sizes you get, you could easily reach the wpg you're aiming for.
 
My shop light has been working great for months. I bought a white shop light at Wal-Mart. I gave 10 bucks for the fixture. Gave a few bucks for some extra chain to hang from the kitchen ceiling. The bulbs are for planted tanks and were on stock there too. However, I found later the bulbs (identical to the ones at wally world) were cheaper at Lowes. 11 something a piece at wal-mart and then 8 something at lowes. But prices seem to be rising everywhere, so it could be different by now.
Two lights are needed for the fixture. I edged the fixture with some tape and newspaper and put a nice flat black spray paint on the exterior to match my aquarium. I left the inside white for reflection; which has been working perfectly. My husband and I loved the overall cost and we’re still enjoying it. The plants are doing excellent too.
I suggest if you try this, granted the rep shop lights can get sometimes: make sure the ceiling hook you buy will hold the light from the ceiling. Don’t do any testing with the CFLs installed. I used a medium size ceiling hook about ¼ inch thick. The lights come with four S-hooks for chain installation. I reserved two of them to install mid-way down on the chain. Reserving the two hooks allows me pull the light up and get it out of my way for water changes and rescaping.
 
why most people use white paint? I think they sell "chrome paint". It makes the surface more or less a mirror. Shouldn't that be better at reflecting light?
 
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