lighting question

[Hebdizzle]

currently on my 30 gallon tank I have a 24 inch, 20 watt bulb that came with the tank, hood, lighting strip etc. Do I need any extra equiptment (ballasts etc) to switch to a VHO 6000k 75 watt bulb? I never really understood all of that stuff. If I cannot use that, what would you recommend? ( I don't have live plants)

thanks!

 

[NJ Devils Fan]

You don't need more lights if you don't have live plants.

 

[Hebdizzle]

it gets really dark im my aquarium 36 inch tank 24 inch bulb.... the corners seem to get very shadowy

 

[Ordovician]

how about just putting a 36" light on it. I don't think they have 36" shop lights at my Home Depot, but I'm sure that somebody makes them. You could probably pick one of those up for a few bucks and make a canopy for a very small amount of money. IMO......75 watts would probably be a whole lot of light on that tank and would not be needed unless you want to grow plants.

 

[superstein61]

You would be inviting algae with no plants and a powerful light left on for any long period of time

 

[GillBates]

Try a Coralife Trichromatic bulb....24 inches, 20 watts....very bright, no more shadows...I have one on my 58 gallon and it's bright as day......for warmer colors , I also use a Colormax bulb at the same time........later in the evening, I switch off the Trichromatic and just use the Colormax...real vivid colors and darker shadows for the fish, simulates dusk in the water!