What is the easiest, cheapest lighting setup that I can make for my 10 gal? I have always wanted to make it into a potted tank, but I only have a 15 watt lightbulb for it and that isn't enough, right.?:huh: I am 99.9% sure
what is the easiest DIY lighting set-up
- Thread starter Fishman07
- Start date
mellowvision
Seafood Lover
legendaryfrog
Tactical Refreshment Action
The cheapest lighting source you can use is the sun. A couple hours of indirect sunlight is plenty enough to grow a few plants.
Your other cheapest option, is probably a regular ol' flourescent fixture.
Your other cheapest option, is probably a regular ol' flourescent fixture.
DIY Compact Fluorescent
I was thinking of doing this myself.
The only thing is the evaporation/condensation going into the bulb-socket connection, I would need to seal it with something. Does anyone have any suggestions? Would electrical tape or would that melt or something or would it not be waterproof?
Also where the light tubes enter the light there is a small 2mm gap can I seal this with silicone or should leave open?
Thanks
I was thinking of doing this myself.
The only thing is the evaporation/condensation going into the bulb-socket connection, I would need to seal it with something. Does anyone have any suggestions? Would electrical tape or would that melt or something or would it not be waterproof?
Also where the light tubes enter the light there is a small 2mm gap can I seal this with silicone or should leave open?
Thanks
I think that you'd want to put the lighting above a glass or acrylic cover that can be a commercial one, something you cut, or you can easily get a glass store to inexpensively cut you the pieces.
If you want a top quality setup you might look at the 13 watt kits from AH supply for $19 - http://www.ahsupply.com/twox.htm. Probably a little more $ overall, but with their amazing reflectors you'll have plenty of light for almost any plants.
MtF
If you want a top quality setup you might look at the 13 watt kits from AH supply for $19 - http://www.ahsupply.com/twox.htm. Probably a little more $ overall, but with their amazing reflectors you'll have plenty of light for almost any plants.
MtF
60W trouble light poking through a tinfoil pie plate.
Seriously, a commercial hood for that tank can't be more than $20. You could follow some of the DIY hood plans here for around the same cost if you like, but for a 10gal it mgiht not be worthwhile.
You definitely want to have glass or acrylic between the bulb and the water if you use incandescent or halogen bulbs. a small splash of water on a hot light bulb will result in lots of tiny broken glass shards in your tank.
Seriously, a commercial hood for that tank can't be more than $20. You could follow some of the DIY hood plans here for around the same cost if you like, but for a 10gal it mgiht not be worthwhile.
You definitely want to have glass or acrylic between the bulb and the water if you use incandescent or halogen bulbs. a small splash of water on a hot light bulb will result in lots of tiny broken glass shards in your tank.