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	Where do you buy your lights from?
djtj Fish Master Posts: 1764 Kudos: 885 Votes: 49 Registered: 20-Feb-2003	The pet chain stores one have 20 watts which is 1wpg for my tank. Would I be able to get a 24" bult with a higher wattage at a different store?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:39
djtj Fish Master Posts: 1764 Kudos: 885 Votes: 49 Registered: 20-Feb-2003	Do you think I could purchase one of these and use a flourescent bulb instead of an incandescent? light fixture I could put one of these bulbs in. I already have a canopy that I do not want to replace. However, I am thinking of cliping this on to the back of the tank and aiming it at my plants. What do you think? Last edited by djtj at 28-Sep-2005 20:54
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:39
dan76 Big Fish Always Reading Posts Posts: 343 Registered: 08-Jul-2003	i dont think those tubes will fit that light fitting OH TOLEEDY!
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:39
LITTLE_FISH *** Little Fish *** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005	djtj, After doing quite a bit of research and knowing that I am not the best handyman when it comes to electrical appliances, I purchased my lights from [link=Here]http://www.hellolights.com/" style="COLOR: #ff6633[/link] Super friendly customer service and the price is right as well. They further claim (I didn’t check that though) that “We will match any online store or print advertised price of Aqualights”. Ingo Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:39
FRANK Moderator Posts: 5108 Kudos: 5263 Votes: 1690 Registered: 28-Dec-2002	Hi, If your hood uses a incandescent bulb, go to one of the warehouse type hardware stores (Home Depot/Lowes, etc.) and purchase one of the small screw in compact flourscents. Buy one labeled DAYLIGHT or SUNLIGHT it is rated at 6700K and just right for plants. Don't buy anything labled "warm, or glow, or soft." Those are for reading and the light is less harsh. If your hood has two sockets put one in each. Frank -->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:39
divertran Fish Addict Posts: 784 Kudos: 469 Votes: 165 Registered: 14-Nov-2004	Your pet store may also have new lighting fixtures that will pop into your hood, or even a whole new hood with flourescents in it. Keep in mind, however that flourescent tubes, the wattage is a function of the length of the tube, so a 24" tube will always be 20 watts, the longer tubes will have a higher wattage. You may, however purchase the compact flourescent lights that come in higher wattages. The easiest, and most economical/practical thing to do would be the aforementioned screw in flourescents and simply screw them into your existing fixture. Good luck, hope this helps
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:39
ACIDRAIN Moderator Posts: 3162 Kudos: 1381 Votes: 416 Registered: 14-Jan-2002	Also, if you are wanting to increase the wattage in the space you have, you will have to go with a PC light, a T5, or a MH bulb. A MH (metal Halite) will be way to much for your small tank. And I don't believe the T5s come in that small of a length. But the PC lighting does come in that size, they have retro-fit kits available, and are great for planted tanks. PC (Power Compact) lights come in all Kelvin ratings. HTH.... _____________________________________________________________ There is always a bigger fish...
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:39
Babelfish Administrator Small Fry with Ketchup Posts: 6833 Kudos: 8324 Votes: 1570 Registered: 17-Apr-2003	I bought my fixture and lights from homedepot. Dual bulb 2' fluorescent fixture gives me about 2wpg over my 20....For a heavily planted tank you would have to go with PC's such as Acidrain mentioned. Otherwise as Frank said if your tank is already set to use screw in bulbs use the screw in fluorescents easily found in most all hardware and even in many grocery stores. Keep in mind though that since the light is concentrated in a smaller area you'll want to plant higher light plants directly under the light with lower light plants towards the edges. ^_^[hr width='40%']"Every now and then I get a little bit nervous that the best of all the years have gone by Every now and then I get a little bit terrified and then I see the look in your eyes EVERY NOW AND THEN I FALL APART. And I need you now tonight And I need you more than ever And if you'll only hold me tight We'll be holding on forever..."
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:39
djtj Fish Master Posts: 1764 Kudos: 885 Votes: 49 Registered: 20-Feb-2003	That screw in bulb idea is brillant. What wattages do they make compact flourescents in? Any my light fixture has pins. Is there anything kit or something I can use to change that? And what exactly is a pc light and how much would one go for? I'm really looking to stay in the <%50 range. Last edited by djtj at 29-Sep-2005 19:06
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:39
sham Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 3369 Kudos: 2782 Votes: 98 Registered: 21-Apr-2004	You can find screw in compact fluorescents in 5-25w fairly easily. Finding each wattage in daylight spectrum is a bit harder. I've found 15w and 25w daylight bulbs without too much trouble otherwise the only other place I know is online. Bulbs over 15w may not fit into a hood made for an incandescent due to the wider base. For a fixture with pins you cannot get a higher wattage bulb. Wattage is determined by tube length. You would have to retrofit the fixture to use bent tube compact fluorescents or buy a new fixture. PC-power compact or compact fluorescent. The tubes are the same as the ones your light currently uses only bent in a u shape so they put out more light. I get my 48" pc fixtures off ebay for around $100. Last edited by sham at 30-Sep-2005 00:51
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:39
ACIDRAIN Moderator Posts: 3162 Kudos: 1381 Votes: 416 Registered: 14-Jan-2002	If you are planning on retro-fitting, I would go with the HO-T5s (newest idea out there, come in multiple K ratings, can add twice as many bulbs to a tank as regular NO-fluorescent bulbs, and they last longer than other bulbs). The initial cost will be in the $50-$100 range for the set up, and the bulbs go for about $30 each. Not too much more than regular aquarium bulbs at your lfs. But, because they last longer, you will buy less, so in the long run your cost will be less. _____________________________________________________________ There is always a bigger fish...
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:39
djtj Fish Master Posts: 1764 Kudos: 885 Votes: 49 Registered: 20-Feb-2003	Ok, I've decided to axe the old canopy. Can someone reccomment a good light fixture with at least 65W around the $60 range? I found this one but I don't know if they sell it by me. So, are there any other suggestions?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:39
Fallout Moderator Communications Specialist Posts: 6416 Kudos: 4053 Votes: 742 Registered: 29-Jul-2000	Why wouldn't they sell it to you? [link=You can buy 'em here]http://www.hellolights.com/241xcofraq1x.html" style="COLOR: #FFFF00[/link]
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:39
djtj Fish Master Posts: 1764 Kudos: 885 Votes: 49 Registered: 20-Feb-2003	I'm just saying in the case that the store doesn't have any good quality lights.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:39


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