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Hey everyone, I got a 45 gal setup in my room that needs a new striplight. The height of the aquarium is 16''. I don't have plants (nor intend to get them anytime soon). So what type of wattage should I get, just to accentuate my fish and driftwood? Thanks!

In this case, I'd just get a normal fluorescent tube that is long enough to go all the way across your tank.

Hoping that there must be a word for everything I mean...

If you don't mind a little bit of DIY you could possibly find a cheaper light @your local home improvements store. Either single or dual bulb. Since you dont want too much light you might be able to find a premade single bulb strip.
You can also get them from your LFS to fit the tank. Usually a bit more expensive.

^_^[font color="#999999][hr width='40%']"When you try your best but you don't succeed. When you get what you want but not what you need
When you feel so tired but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse
And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace. When you love someone but it goes to wa" ][hr width='40%']"When you try your best but you don't succeed. When you get what you want but not what you need
When you feel so tired but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse
And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace. When you love someone but it goes to waste
COULD IT BE WORSE?" ~Coldplay

Cool. So if I do decide to get plants later on, would a single tube strip light with a VHO bulb (95 watts) do the trick?

Sure would do the trick, but maybe not for plants that require loads of light.

Nevertheless, you should find lots of plants that thrive in 2wpg.

Ingo

EDIT: But maybe we should talk about other light options as well, for example (and in particular) about Power Compacts.

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 01-Sep-2005 08:39

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Thanks little_fish. I looked on the Big Al's website, and noticed that the power compacts are a bit more expensive, compared to the VHO. If you'd enlighten me, what are the pros and cons of each?

incubus70,

For one thing, VHOs have a shorter lifespan than PCs (power compacts). They should be replaced every 6 months, while a PC lasts for 9 months to 1 year. For both, that is not the span until the light goes out but rather until its efficiency is greatly reduced.

Another thing is that the PCs have greater light efficiency, meaning that a 96W PC actually produces more useful light than the equivalent VHO.

If you consider a VHO because you could add it to a standard hood then you are off as you need a special ballast for it.

Here is a Great Article that compares various bulbs, from NO to MH.

Hope this helps,

Ingo

EDIT: During my research I also found that most reefers prefer the VHO over the PC.

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 01-Sep-2005 14:25

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club