lighting a 10 gallon?!

[Aries]

If you already have a light fixture (sure you do) and your are 10% handy you can make your own.

This is NOT the most effecient but for me it works an is cheap.

I bought from local hardware store two light sockets (ones with the twisty on/off), screws and bolts, electical wire and two plugs, oh and two cf spiral lights.

I drilled two holes in each side of my hood (cheap hood). Attached the wire to the sockets, put on the plugs (all plug and play with a screwdriver) Threaded the sockets through the hood. Plug them in.

I think it rand ~$15 for a simple DIY setup. It has two 13w lights in it. Otherwise, AHSupply is a great option.

Aries

 

[mprewett]

That is one of the options listed in the thread I linked to above, and is one that I currently use with my most heavily planted 10g.

I did check out the link. I just wanted to put in my two cents as to how easy it is to do. It is the perfect fit for a standard 10g tank (IMO).

 

[geofied]

I did check out the link. I just wanted to put in my two cents as to how easy it is to do. It is the perfect fit for a standard 10g tank (IMO).

Understood, and I agree. Sorry if the comment seemed snarky.

I just considered another option though, if one wanted to "supercharge" a standard 20" 15w striplight. I'm toying with the idea of getting an AH Supply 2x13w kit to retrofit one of the 2 strips above a 10g. This would bring the total up to 41w (two striplights, 15w + 26w). Definite overkill for most, but it would help power the light through my full cover of duckweed better.

 

[pantala]

I am using two GE CF spiral 26W 6500K bulbs in a standard incandescent hood. The bulbs are available at Wal-Mart for under $7 a pair.

http://genet.gelighting.com/LightPr...lf-Ballasted_Spiral®_T3&ModelSelectionFilter=

The bulbs are a tight fit between the reflector and the splash guard but they do fit. If you have trouble finding the GEs locally, Home Depot carries n:vision brand spiral CF at 23W and 5500K.

 

[Addict]

I'm using the ahsupply 36w kit on my 10 gallon. It's not yet complete in terms of plants. I built my own fixture as well. I HIGHLY recommend you look into ahsupply.com Those lights are incredibily bright.

Just make sure you balance the light & the plants. Too little plants + high wattage = algae | Too little light + heavily planted = unhappy plants.

 

[stewmac]

im using 2 15watt "screw in" Life-Glo's bought from the LFS 10 bucks a pop... the bulbs are long and thin enough to fit between the reflector... bulbs are very nice and bright plus a nice color IMO..

check em out

 

[galen]

hmmmpf. well, i use a 10 dollars petsmart incandescent hood ( use the online stub and take it into the store for price match) then use 2 compact fluorescent bulbs i bought at home depot for 5 dollars a pair. they are rated at 5500k. they are awesome- my amazon sword cuttings are growing superb and the rangeri sword has spawned 2 plantlets! all i dose is planttabs- at the recommended dosage on the back ( 1 per 5 gallons). its easy, cheap, and very effective. hth.

 

[Fishman07]

Hey, would 15 watts be enough for a tank that isn't heavily planted??, a 10 gallon tank that is

 

[Mgamer20o0]

you might be able to grow some of the low light plants. i would go with 2 15w. how many plants you have really doesnt effect how much light you need.