Need A Cheap Light...

[a.wagg]

Hey all, as of now, I am only lighting my tank with a small LED, mainly used for supplemental and night-time lighting... needless to say, my swords aren't doing well with the lack of light. I have a 30g 24" tall hex tank, and was looking to set up a moderate to heavy plant set up. What type of light would I need? I was thinking flourescent, and my tank has a width of only 18" so it has to fit that. Thanks for any help... sorry I just don't really know what to look for.

 

[minnnt]

T5 or T8 would do just fine imo. You can source these from ebay for a fair bit cheaper than the lfs.

 

[a.wagg]

Does something like this seem good? http/www.ebay.com/itm/20-T5-Aquarium-Light-Hood-Freshwater-Plant-36W-2x-18W-/290604358740?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a95e9c54

 

[minnnt]

That may be a bit too much light for your tank, but i'm no expert on lighting so wait for someone who is. It depends if you want an open top tank or not. Personally i would just go with a normal T8/T5 starter and balast then just get a tube.

 

[a.wagg]

My tank has a 4" by 12" opening on the top for a hood to go, but the tank didn't come with one (was used) and buying a expensive new TruVu hood is a little too pricey I was thinking of sticking this over the opening. An alternative could be to cut out a 5" by 13" piece of plexiglass, then putting this light over that.

 

[minnnt]

If you think something like this would work then go for it, just mafe sure you get the right size and right power rating for your tank. I normally work on 1 watt of light to 1 uk gallon of water.

 

[a.wagg]

So that would be around 25 UK gallons (1.2 US = 1 UK). So you'd say a 25 watt light, more or less? Even considering the depth of my tank, 24"?

EDIT: Here's actually something that might fit my tank better, http/www.ebay.com/itm/14-18-Aquarium-Light-Hood-Nano-Reef-Refugium-24-W-/290557555992?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a6947518 This is a 24 watt. My only worry is that the lower wattage won't go deep enough in the water.

 

[minnnt]

Maybe consider a 30w then? My 2ft deep x 4ft wide tank has 2 30w t8's and there is no issue with dull substrate.

My 180 has 2x24w t5's and again no issues.

 

[a.wagg]

Ok, sounds good. Thanks for all your help!

EDIT: After looking, I can't really find a 30W for cheap. Would you say 24W or 36W? What are the drawbacks of higher wattage?

 

[ace61502]

I bought a couple of cheap $8 clip on desk lamps at Walmart then put in 6500k 20w CFLs for my 75 gallon and no one has yelled at me, and my plants seem to be doing great. The ones that don't get eaten anyway. LOL They are green and growing and I've already had to trim and replant hornwort several times in 2 months' time. The crypts I put in a month ago have more than doubled in size. Just a thought. I didn't have the funds for anything fancy and prefer an open top aquarium.