Flourescent Plant Lights From Walmart?

[SimonSays]

Looking for a cheap DIY hood project for my 55 gallon tank, I came across these lights at Walmart for plants

Would these work for a planted tank? they claim to be for plants and flowers but since i'm new to this I have no idea, there's no rating for the lights anywhere, any suggestions?


Thanks!

 

[SimonSays]

the specs i guess?

another pic

 

[iairj84]

The actual light output of the full tube will be 17 watts. It's kind of compicated when they say what it's like with an incandescent bulb. They should really just put the 17 watts but it sounds like much less light when in reality it's not. I haven't personally used one of those, although I've looked at them and thought about it. The thing that turned me off to them was that they aren't probably going to be easy to replace the bulbs in. With the amount of time the lights are on daily the bulbs need to be replaced every 6 months. If you only have 24'' of space to use then look for a full sized bulb shop light at a home store for under $20, the bulbs will be cheaper and probably a whole lot easier to replace and find... Good luck and feel free to ask any more questions.

 

[rdd1952]

If you want plants, you need to go with power compacts. Most plants need at least 2 watts per gallon so for 55 gallon, you need 110 watts. There's no way to get that with flourescent tubes. There are low light plants that do well with less light. Here are some. Just FYI, I have ordered from this company twice and been very happy with what I received.

 

[iairj84]

It can definately be done with flourescents. Just not the one he's looking at, there are a lot of other options than going with a power compact. A 48'' power compact is easily going to cost you $150 if not more.

 

[SimonSays]

are power compact lights the same as compact fluorescent lights?


edit: ouch I was looking at the ballast kits...with the kits + bulbs would set me back the same amount if not more than the ebay auctions with the ODYSSEA lights....

 

[iairj84]

Power compacts are still floursescent tubes just as a compact flourescent is. Power compacts generally come as retrofit kits though to put them up into a hood or a preexisting hood. Compact flourescents come in all shapes and sizes. Some come with the whole housing and some come with just the ballasts and bulbs. The bulbs that you might use in your home that are spiral are also called compact flourescent, or CFL bulbs.

I would look into the shop light idea if you have, or are planning on building or buying a hood. If you're even kind of handy it's not difficult at all to build one. Their are plenty of plans around the net and I could show you how mine's built if you would like.

 

[cheesy feet]

If you want plants, you need to go with power compacts. Most plants need at least 2 watts per gallon so for 55 gallon, you need 110 watts. There's no way to get that with flourescent tubes. There are low light plants that do well with less light. Here are some. Just FYI, I have ordered from this company twice and been very happy with what I received.

Although only been properly into the planted tank for a few months i have to disagree with you, if you had 2wpg over a 5 gallon tank that would be the equivelent of say like 1wpg on a 55 gallon [i don't actually know the difference but just for my point ].As you get larger the less light you will need.In another post george said that in and 80 gal with 2 wpg you would be able to grow anything .You are probably right though, if you want cheapish lighting for your tank you will probably have to go for pc's.

 

[PortWash]

WPG is watts per gallon what im saying is to have 2WPG in a 5 gallon would require 10watts. 2wpg in a 55 gallon would require 110 watts. My understanding from what I have read is that larger tanks dont need as many wpg thus they need lower wattage which is what i think you were saying about larger tanks needing less watts. (I may be wrong as I am new properly maintaining a planted tank or at least trying) Yes I read the George posting as well 80 gallon @ 2 wpg (160 watts of lighting). From my experience of maintaining a low light planted tank .82wpg (29g/24w) you can grow plants however thier growth rate is snailish and only darker green plants lasted for more than 2 months. As relates to the original post my advice don't settle. I made the mistake of purchasing a hood and then realized 4 months later I wanted more plants and needed more light thus my original outlay was garbage essentially as I couldnt retro fit it to accomidate the watts/look I was going for. Now it supplements natural light for my basil plant. A planted aquarium is addictive (at least for me) and settling now may lead to dissapointment later.

 

[SimonSays]

Ahh thanks for the tips guys...i might just spring for one of these hoods on ebay with the 220w's and possibly keep 2 of the 4 lights off leaving me with about 130w ~2.5wpg


http/cgi.ebay.com/AQUARIUM-LIGHT-48-JEBO...1QQcmdZViewItem

what do ya guys think?

 

[PortWash]

Ahh thanks for the tips guys...i might just spring for one of these hoods on ebay with the 220w's and possibly keep 2 of the 4 lights off leaving me with about 130w ~2.5wpg


http/cgi.ebay.com/AQUARIUM-LIGHT-48-JEBO...1QQcmdZViewItem

what do ya guys think?

Just took a glance seems like a good unit. Im not sure the bulbs will be the best suitted for plants as the kelvin may be to high 10000K rather than one at 6500K or 6700K. Or one at 3500k at one at 10000 I think that is in the ligthing pin. bulbs usually run about 15-20$. I wouldnt rush to make a purchase. It seems the seller has more than the one up for auction. I would get more opinions.

 

[iairj84]

I would have to agree that 10,000k is probably a little high ideally as well. I would email the seller if you're truly interested and ask him about different bulbs. The 6500 seem to be perfect in my tank and I really like the look of them too. Not yellow or faded out color at all.