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	How to get more light....
harleysiber Fish Addict Posts: 591 Kudos: 554 Votes: 47 Registered: 11-Aug-2003	I'm turning my 30g into a planted tank, and want the most light I can get. I currently have the normal 36" flourescent strip light which gives off about 1 wpg. How can I get more light in this tank without spending hundreds on a VHO or double flourescent light strip?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
T/A Mega Fish Posts: 942 Kudos: 1796 Registered: 20-Feb-2004	You could go to any hardware store and buy a hanging shop light. These are 48" long with 2 fluorescent bulbs. The bulbs that are included are useless for plants, but for less than $10US for the whole setup, it's worth it. If you have live plants, just buy some new daylight bulbs and your all set. All for less than $30US.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
greenfootball Fish Addict Posts: 613 Kudos: 360 Votes: 0 Registered: 23-Jul-2001	u could always get some wood boards, make a box, and get some light bulb sockets in there, you should be able to fit a ton of bulbs in there for just about 20 bucks + labor ps. make sure the bulbs are fluorescent and day light not the soft white stuff
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
sham Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 3369 Kudos: 2782 Votes: 98 Registered: 21-Apr-2004	You can get 36" strips with 2 bulbs at hardware stores, walmart, and gardening stores. They are sold as shoplights or grow lights for quite cheap. You'll probably have to replace the bulbs but it costs alot less than those sold specifically for aquariums. The lfs here wants $50 for a 24" strip so I had to find other ways. You can also completely build your own from scratch.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
harleysiber Fish Addict Posts: 591 Kudos: 554 Votes: 47 Registered: 11-Aug-2003	I actually wandered onto large chain stores websites last night and noticed the All-Glass triple tube setup is "only" about $100 for my tank. That would give me about 3wpg with normal 36" bulbs. Maybe I can convince someone to get me that for a Birthday present next month... How about the GE Plantlight? I used this for my terrarium and it worked well, I think the bulb gives off 75-100w, depending on what size you have. I already have one light assembly that can attach to the wall and be aimed at the tank... or would that encurage algae more than plants?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
crazy4plants Fingerling Posts: 36 Kudos: 38 Votes: 21 Registered: 09-Apr-2005	Does your GE plant light tell you anything on the package about its spectrum? I'm not familiar with this brand.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
harleysiber Fish Addict Posts: 591 Kudos: 554 Votes: 47 Registered: 11-Aug-2003	Geesh. I've had that thing for years. I'll have to go to Walmart or Home depot today and look at the package.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
FRANK Moderator Posts: 5108 Kudos: 5263 Votes: 1690 Registered: 28-Dec-2002	Hi, Generally the "plant lights" are for terrestrial plants and not all that great for aquarium plants. The most economical are the bulbs that say DAYLIGHT or SUNLIGHT. These bulbs give off light that most resembles natural sunlight. Frank -->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
harleysiber Fish Addict Posts: 591 Kudos: 554 Votes: 47 Registered: 11-Aug-2003	For 1 wpg by my calculations, there is actually a lot of light in the tank. It helps that I don't have too many ornaments cluttering the tank. Could I get away with medium light plants with the light on longer? Say 13 hrs instead of 12? Last edited by harleysiber at 24-Apr-2005 18:07
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004	Keeping lights on for a period longer than 12 hours usually just increases algea growth. Also I noticed that you said you have had your bulb for years, and the intensity of the light usually diminishes greatly after 6-12 months and should be replaced. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
FRANK Moderator Posts: 5108 Kudos: 5263 Votes: 1690 Registered: 28-Dec-2002	Hi, The answer to your last question is "No." Duration does not compensate for intensity. If you have 1wpg, and a standard tank, you "might" get away with SOME of the medium light demand plants, but increasing the intensity is the answer. Frank -->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
harleysiber Fish Addict Posts: 591 Kudos: 554 Votes: 47 Registered: 11-Aug-2003	Thanks. Back to square one with getting a better strip (triple tube....). How do I always end up with more hoods than tanks???
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44


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