So, I have a grand total of 30 watts over a 55 gallon tank, and my plants are barely hanging on. Well, actually my anubias does fine--it puts out a new leaf every few weeks--but my java fern always looks sad. I have the bulbs I have because that's what my hood accommodates. It has two separate fixtures that each hold an 18 inch T8 bulb. And the only bulbs I see in that size are all 15 watts. Can you get higher wattage bulbs that would still fit my hood fixtures? Or would I have to buy a new hood altogether if I wanted to get more watts?
Yet another light question
- Thread starter LeahK
- Start date
not sure about higher watt bulbs but i do know fixtures and would suggest that, you can
DIY one or buy one it's up to you really. with DIYing you might be able to keep you're current hood with some modifications.
DIY one or buy one it's up to you really. with DIYing you might be able to keep you're current hood with some modifications.
Sorry--no batteries in my camera, and I can't get a decent pic with my cell. But what's happening is that the java fern leaves, one or two at a time, will start to turn light green, then yellow and brown--sometimes there's baby leaves at the top, sometimes not. I eventually trim the browning leaf off. One by one, this seems to be happening to all the nice tall leaves. There is some new growth at the bottom near the rhizome, but the fish will eat the young leaves, so I'm interested in saving the big ones. I'll look into the DIY fixture stuff online. If anyone knows a good link, please send it my way.
DAVIDFBT
Extinct? Since when?
What works as a really cheap solution for improving your lights is to go to a wal-mart and go to the lighting section and look at the flourescent light strips. I saw a 4 foot shop light for 10 dollars there before! This is how I got 2.7 wpg for under 20 dollars.
If you can't find any, go to Lowes or Home Depot.
If you can't find any, go to Lowes or Home Depot.