FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I would like to replace the current lighting I have in my tank. The hood part that holds the bulb says the following:

All Glass Aquarium
24" Flourescent Aquarium Reflector
120 Volt 19 Watt 60 hz

First of all, are these the specs for the lightbulb that is currently in there (I am still using the original from when I bought the tank 2 years ago)? Or is this telling me the max that I can put in the hood (or whatever it is called)?

Secondly, how do I change the bulb? I noticed that there is a little tube thing attached in the middle that says "starter" and "FS-22H" but I don't know what it is or what the markings mean.

I have two live plants in my tank now..they've been there for over a year...and I just let them be. They're the only survivors from my Easy Habitat purchase from azgardens.com. After the other plants died, I went back to plastic plants. However, after seeing all the gorgeous tanks on this website, I wanna try to plant something!!! I'm thinking about some of the apongeton bulbs I read about in another thread. However, I'd like to kick up my lighting.

For a 20H gallon tank, what type of lighting would I need to support at least low light plants. My LFS didn't seem to have a great range of lighting (then again I was a little clueless about what I was looking for) so what type of lighting do you suggest and where can I buy it online if not available locally?

Thank you so much in advance.



[span class="edited"][Edited by daviine 2004-08-02 18:30][/span]

Hi,
First, flourscent lights use a "starter" to shock the
tube into lighting.
Second, get rid of the bulb. Most flourscents after
one year, have "lost their luster" and are simply not
putting out the quality light that they did when new.
Folks regularly replace them annually.
Third, go to a regular hardware store and purchase
a 24 inch bulb that is labled SUNLIGHT or DAYLIGHT.
give the bulb in the reflector a half twist and pull
the bulb out of the slots in the end caps. Then place
the new one into the slots and give it a half twist
to lock it in place.

Fourth, perhaps THE problem is that you have what is
considered to be a "show" tank, a "high." As light
travels down to the substrate, it is disbursed,
scattered, and the light at the gravel is not as strong
as the light up near the surface. You could start out
with one watt at the surface and only a fraction of a
watt/gallon at the gravel where the plants are. That
could be a reason why the plants died. Lack of fert
could be another. To solve the lighting problem, you
will probably have to go to a different hood with a
higher power light.

Frank


[span class="edited"][Edited by FRANK 2004-08-03 10:01][/span]

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Thank you SOOOOO much Frank! Your response is greatly appreciated.

I tried to learn what I could last night about lighting and I figured I would have to change the hood (to CF). From what I can tell, this is cheaper than retrofitting. I went to Hello Lights because I couldn't make sense of what was being sold at AH Supply. However it seems that the CF hoods will not match my tank (I have the oak/wood finish).

As you can probably tell, I know next to nothing about lighting so I truly appreciate your response.

Have a great day and feel free to throw any other helpful information my way. daviine

Go here.
http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=23833;category_id=1853;pcid1=1843;pcid2=



http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/category.xml?pcid1=1843;category_id=1873



[span class="edited"][Edited by Gauntlet 2004-08-03 11:54][/span]

I'm sort of in the same boat with one of my 20G tanks I am planning to plant.

I've recently learned that my 15 watt bulb is crap for growing anything other than the lowest light plants. I took some advice and purchased a compact flourescent light fixture for about $50. Now I will have 65 watts which is more than 3.0 watts per gallon. Now I can grow a MUCH wider selection of plants than I could have with the dinky factory bulb.

If you're really serious about plants I'd look into getting a new fixture or even a retrofitting kit.

I'm not REALLY serious about plants (though I would love to have the space and the money to be) but I am serious enough to spend the money to upgrade the lighting.

I would have a better idea of what I want to do with the tank if I could actually see photos of the end result.

Keep me updated on your progress and I'll keep you updated on mine!

Gauntlet!!!!

Thank you so much!

The first link seems like "duh--all you have to do is buy this and you're good". What is the catch? Is it that I'm buying a new hood altogether?

Is retrofitting more for the person who doesn't want to give up their current hood? Is there another advantage I don't see because its clearly more money. I think it might be that you can put more "wattage" in there--am I right?

Hi,
Generally speaking, when you "retrofit" a hood,
you are going from one tube to two tubes, and in
some cases, a larger ballast is added to handle the
two tubes.

Some folks are really handy, and view retrofitting
as another DIY project. Others don't have any idea
when it comes to electronics, and wiring, and would
rather purchase a new one, ready made.

Frank


[span class="edited"][Edited by FRANK 2004-08-03 16:16][/span]

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

What do you think of this one....

http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=24073;category_id=1875;pcid1=1843;pcid2=

Edited to ask: Is 30watts enough lighting being that I have a "high" tank. One of the lights that Gauntlet linked for me comes with two striplights 15 watts each. It's an improvement (over the current one 15w bulb)..but now I'm feeling light greedy!

[span class="edited"][Edited by daviine 2004-08-03 16:29][/span]

ok, when you say CF you mean the new fluorescent light bulbs used at home to save energy... ...ect? or the POWER COMPACT bulbs that gives out like 65 watts for a 24 inch?

i recently upgraded my lighting from 0.68wpg 20watts to 3.4 wpg 100watts, and i spent about 40 dollars.

i went to homedepot, bought 4 light sockets, 4 compact fluorescent bulbs, and a piece of board. cut the board, made it into a small box that fits over my tank, painted it white, put the sockets and bulbs in, hook up to some electricity, and... 100watts.

and i can always just buy more sockets and bulbs to add more lighting. i think i can fit about 10 bulbs in there total, and i have only 4 now. each bulb costs 7 dollars for 20 watts (6500K), and the socket is 2 dollars.

Hi greenfootball!

I think your question was addressed to me.....I guess I don't mean CF...I mean the power compact lighting (I think )

At any rate, you are so fortunate that you are electrically-inclined. I am not so this isn't really an option for me. I could probably get someone to do it for me but how does it look? My tank is my favorite part of my living room so this is very important to me. In fact, I think I bought furniture to match my tank

I am leaning towards getting the twin tube striplight that Gauntlet linked for me. (It's cheaper at Big Al's even with shipping than buying at Petland Discount! Just don't know if I can wait).

However it appears, that I won't be able to get more than 30 watts (15 watts x2). The tube is 18" in length and I haven't been able to find a higher wattage in that length except in blacklight. I may just settle for this amount. I do hope that it will be enough for my blasted high tank.

Thanks....daviine

ok... is your bulb the screw-on type? like the incandescent type you have?? or is it a long strip with 2 metal things sticking out on both ends?? or only 1 end??

i was talking about the screw on type, the long strip with metal on both sides are regular fluorescent. metal on only one side is power compact fluorescent.

my tank is sitting on a 4 foot stand, so i dont see what is above it unless i stand on a chair or something. plus it doesnt look half bad considering its my first wood project. if you are concerned about how it looks, you can buy the fancy kind of board that has the wood pattern on the outside, hopefully that'll match your furniture, and put glossy paint of it or what not. or you can buy/make a canopy, and cover EVERYTHING over your tank.

i did this because i was in the same boat as you, limited to only 2 or 3 strips of fluorescent, thats why i got the screw on kinds, because they dont take up a lot of space.

it really isnt hard to hook up the bulbs to some electricity, i am not talented or anything with electronics, i just went to homedepot and asked the guy a few questions, bought some equipments and did it.