lighting a 40g

[aquaholic]

Hi guys I picked up a 40 gallon today for my master bedroom and want to be able to put 2wpg under the hood. any Ideas for something cheap but something that will work for low light plants?? size is 36Lx12W I whent to home depo and the only 36" light strips they have are t12 any idea's would be appreciated. I just dont have the budget to go big on this.
THanks

 

[Fishy_Fun]

You could pull the guts out of the aquarium light and retrofit some spiral CFL bulbs.You shouldn't have to spend more than 30.00

 

[aquaholic]

I just whent to wallmart and they sell undercabinet 24" lights witch have t8 bulbs in them. one says plants and the other one says kithchen and sunlight, they are so small only about 2" wide, I can easly fit 4 under the hood, the only question is are they any good?? there is no way they have a ballast in them like the regular shop lights, they are way to thin and light. what do you guys think??

oh and yeah they are only $7 so 4 would only cost me $28+tax

 

[Mgamer20o0]

how small of budget. your best bet would be to pick up a cf or t5 ho set up. yes it will be more but you wont be trying to cram in all these other less efficient set ups over it.

 

[aquaholic]

you guys think ahsupply is the best for this?

 

[Riiz]

you guys think ahsupply is the best for this?

The 1x 55watt kit, seems like too low amount of light and the 2x55 watt seems too high, or you'll need CO2 and ferts. If you want to go relatively cheap, you could probably modify the original light and get 3 23watt 6500k CFLs in there.

And those under cabinet lights from Walmart are actually T5, I've also been tempted to grab a couple and see how effective they might be in lighting a 20H.

 

[aquaholic]

I am just so comletly clueless about modifying my light that I wouldnt know where to start or what to do so if I put more then 2wpg I will need co2 and fertz?? why is that?

 

[Riiz]

Not always, but its a good guilde line, to prevent problems with algae and plant health.

If you're not sure about modifying or building anything, buying a ready made unit wont be a bad idea, like others suggested, I vote for T5 HO or NO (normal output) lights.

 

[aquaholic]

http://cgi.ebay.com/36-T5-HO-Aquarium-Cichlid-Light-78W-Odyssea-2x39W-New_W0QQitemZ290265140415QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item290265140415&_trkparms=72%3A1222%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

what do you guys think? I know its a odessea but it runs on t5's so catching fire shouldnt be an issue right?

 

[Riiz]

The actinic bulb will need to be replaced, see if they can ship it with dual 12000k bulbs instead. I dont like the units personally, but its your money.