Lighting for DIY canopy

[david13latham]

I am planning to make a DIY canopy, but am having trouble with choosing lights. I see a lot of people recommend T-5 but then i have seen some with just regular old light bulbs and different versions of them. I found many T 8 and T 12 but i have heard to stay away from them. I found an aquarium/plant light at home depot but it was a T12.

Basic question:
What light can i get for the cheapest and have the best quality, and not harm my fish.

Info: 75 gallon tank, low light plants

 

[Bk718]

cheap way: compact fluorescent

other way: ahsupply.com

 

[dspittard]

cheap way: compact fluorescent

other way: ahsupply.com

I second AH Supply. EASY install - the kit came with all of the parts. Very high quality parts and definitely worth the money!

 

[Cory Keeper]

bk828, tip, the bulbs from AHSupply ARE compact fluorescent, they are just plug in, not screw in.

David, I am in a jam about that myself, and unsure which way to go, alot of people are leaning towards the AH Supply, I myself don't have a kit, but sound alright, they are just not cheap, although T5 VHO or HO is not cheap either. A cheap way is to find the longest T5 and T8 bulbs you can fit, and use several of them. Although come replacement time it might not be cheap depending on where you get them.

 

[david13latham]

Hm... if i go with a set of cheaper lights from homedepot that say they are for aquariums and plant indoor growth. Will it get too got inside my tank and maybe raise the temp too much, of course my fish are tropical so it should matter too much as long as it doesn't get crazy hot.

These are the ones i am talking about:
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100134615

 

[david13latham]

Also, would 160watts be enough for a 75 gallon tank?

 

[Cory Keeper]

are we talking T8s or T12s? 160 might be enough, but keep in mind that the WPG rule really doesn't apply to tanks that high.

 

[satanpie]

im on the same boat as you, im looking for a light for my 75G which will be planted, the dimensions are like 48x18x21 im guessing youre working with the same thing, i looked on ahsupply.com and i dont knpow what to get, doesnt seem liek they really have anyhitng that will fit my needs, im planning on growing low light plants as well, my tank gets some sunlight during the day though so perhaps ill get a small light at first and see if the sunlgiht supplements them enough to get a good amount of growth, if you type aquarium lighting into google youll find alot of complete kits that you can put on top of flourescent cfl VHO ect. but theyre kind fo expensive and all the 48 inch ones use ALOT of wattage, power consumption is a concern for me, keep me informed on what you find and we´ll help eachother out fo this mess!!

 

[Squawkbert]

one or two of these, coupled w/ the right ballast, endcaps & Tek reflectors might be a cost effective alternative to AH-Supply, especially for the 4' & 5' crowds.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

t12 and t8 can be used. i used them on my tanks for years but they are not great. might want to toss 4x32w t8 over them until you can afford something better. i switched to ahsupply lights on my 120. went with less light and got better results. t5 set ups are very nice too.

keep in mind that the WPG rule really doesn't apply to tanks that high.

i dont get it?