Throwing In The Towel...

[Monte20]

After searching for 2 days for a better lighting setup, i just cant find anything i can afford. i currently have 2 18" flourescent lamps at 15w a piece. and from what im reading, its just not enough for a 55 gal tank (21" tall). even for low light plants. there are no (that im aware of) 18" bulbs higher than 15w that can also fit my lamps. if i sound like im pouting, well its because i am...lol. dont know if i should try to keep growing the plants i got, or just donate them to my LFS before they die.

edit: the tank is the topfin 55 gallon kit you will find at petmart, etc.

 

[Fish'InMN]

Well, lighting will not be cheap unless you go the DIY route. Even then, it will probably cost you labor hours rather than money.

What are the dimensions of your 55? It sounds as if you have a 48" tank, but I do not have experience with the petsmart tanks. If your tank is indeed 48", you could possibly use a shop light that runs 2 40W bulbs. Though, you would have to find bulbs with the appropriate color, and I do not know how difficult that would be.

Don't give up, there is still hope!


Marty

 

[lljdma06]

Sorry about that.

What can you afford? Just curious.

 

[Monte20]

well, the shoplight thing is a great idea. those are very cheap at home depot or lowes. and the wattage would be much better, about 80 total. threw a little photoshop plan together. if i do this i will need clearance from the boss, as it may disrupt her aesthetic in the living room. the shoplight would hang from the ceiling about 50" down from the top.

quick pic idea:

 

[Fish'InMN]

I have pondered the shop light fixture, and that is what I would do as far as hanging it from the ceiling. What I have seen done on other sites with people hanging fixtures is to just build a basic U or L-shaped "blind" that rests on the top of the tank. <pause while drawing/rendering>

Here is what it might look like using 1"x6" boards and .5" trim for the support/rests.
From the back of the tank...
http/i8.photobucket.com/albums/a5/nmkranz/PendantBlind.jpg
And from the front...
http/i8.photobucket.com/albums/a5/nmkran...ndantBlind2.jpg
Above...
http/i8.photobucket.com/albums/a5/nmkran...ndantBlind3.jpg

Choose a color the Boss approves, of course!

HTH,
Marty

 

[danski]

i agree with Fish'InMN
building a hood that rests on the tank will keep the aesthetics,and give many more wpg.i believe if you build the hood you could maybe stuff 4tubes under it.ive never built one but thought about it.i bet there are a lot of plans for this type of project over in the hardware area also.keep trying.the lighting is very important if you want decent success.

 

[Monte20]

well so far the boss says no. she says a hanging light would be tacky. give me a day or two.

 

[Themuleous]

good luck

 

[Monte20]

i think i rectified the problem went to home depot. bought some wood materials to create a shelf. pretty much just a plank. i attached a 48" shoplight underneath the shelf. i also added molding around the shelf to hide the light. then hung the shelf right over the tank. 2 40W bulbs. t12. 6500K. at home depot the bulbs cost $6 usd. same size/ wattage/ kelvin bulbs at LFS around $15 usd. hmmm. the entire project including building materials (saw, sandpaper, etc...was $53 usd. so although not a professional job, still did the trick and isnt an eysore. plants are happy now.

 

[iain.betson]

You gotta post a pic of your handy work

 

[Qays]

Cool, pics please!

btw guys, im liking your renders and photoshopping!

 

[Monte20]

the glass panes are for my glass hood im going to make. i have to get the glass cut to size and the hinges.

http/img150.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc001324xa.jpg

http/img280.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc001302ay.jpg

 

[Fish'InMN]

Like a pro! Your plants will certainly love you for the increase in light.


Cheers,
Marty

 

[druxboyz]

if you're on a budget, you can do what i did.

i have a 30g tank and wanted more than 3wpg. i went to home depot and bought 2 flood lamps. its the kind that you hang in the backayrd and turns on automatically when it gets dark by a light sensor. anyway, it gives out 6500k light, which is the correct temp, and it gives off 65watts each light. the best part is that it was only 13 dollars and came with its own housing.

so, for 26 bucks, i got 130watts of 6500k light with housing plants enjoy it a lot, and it lights up the whole living room. it now gives me 4.3wpg

 

[Themuleous]

Looks good Monte