Where Do You Find Your Lights?

[Mako Man111]

I know of many places that stock PC lights that are great for high tech planted tanks. But I can't seem to find a decent dual flourescent light fixture for a low tech tank, for my 20 gallon "high" tank (24" inches long). I did find an "All Glass Aquarium" one with a junky white reflector. Where do you low tech guys find them?

 

[fish-r-fancy]

I'm not sure, but Lowes or Home Depot might have something for cheap too.

 

[lljdma06]

I know of many places that stock PC lights that are great for high tech planted tanks. But I can't seem to find a decent dual flourescent light fixture for a low tech tank, for my 20 gallon "high" tank (24" inches long). I did find an "All Glass Aquarium" one with a junky white reflector. Where do you low tech guys find them?

20g high you say? Look no further than Coralife's 28W T5 double fixture. It is 24" long and very sleak. It gets the job done and I have no complaints. This will give you 1.4WPG which is fantastic for a low-tech setup. Are you in the UK or the US? I paid too much for mine, got it at a LFS, but online it's pretty inexpensive. $35-$40 or something like that. Big Al's sells them in the US and Canada.

llj

PS: If you're in the UK, then I can't help you and I apologize.

 

[Mako Man111]

I know of many places that stock PC lights that are great for high tech planted tanks. But I can't seem to find a decent dual flourescent light fixture for a low tech tank, for my 20 gallon "high" tank (24" inches long). I did find an "All Glass Aquarium" one with a junky white reflector. Where do you low tech guys find them?

20g high you say? Look no further than Coralife's 28W T5 double fixture. It is 24" long and very sleak. It gets the job done and I have no complaints. This will give you 1.4WPG which is fantastic for a low-tech setup. Are you in the UK or the US? I paid too much for mine, got it at a LFS, but online it's pretty inexpensive. $35-$40 or something like that. Big Al's sells them in the US and Canada.

llj

PS: If you're in the UK, then I can't help you and I apologize.

Sweeeet, thanks, I live in the US. Can you give me a link to a place where they sell them?

Also, how does a T5 compare to a regular T8 flourescent?

 

[voo]

T5 tubes are thinner but have a greater light output.

However it was mentioned that it's a 28W double fixture, meaning there's 2x 28W ?? which would be 2.4wpg and is considered high lighting.

Consider going for the single light version if you want low tech.

 

[lljdma06]

T5 tubes are thinner but have a greater light output.

However it was mentioned that it's a 28W double fixture, meaning there's 2x 28W ?? which would be 2.4wpg and is considered high lighting.

Consider going for the single light version if you want low tech.

Nope, 28W total lighting, each T5 is 14W. Sorry for the mixup. It's 1.4WPG. Here's the link. I'll take you to Big Al's

http/www.bigalsonline.com/ This is the main site.

Here's the specific fixture with price.

http/www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl36...blestriplight24

That was tough to find. Sorry I wasn't clear.

llj

 

[Mako Man111]

T5 tubes are thinner but have a greater light output.

However it was mentioned that it's a 28W double fixture, meaning there's 2x 28W ?? which would be 2.4wpg and is considered high lighting.

Consider going for the single light version if you want low tech.

Nope, 28W total lighting, each T5 is 14W. Sorry for the mixup. It's 1.4WPG. Here's the link. I'll take you to Big Al's

http/www.bigalsonline.com/ This is the main site.

Here's the specific fixture with price.

http/www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl36...blestriplight24

That was tough to find. Sorry I wasn't clear.

llj

Awsome, thanks for all of the help!

I've got a few more quick questions

1) So it has a polished alumnium reflector?
2) How often should I replace the T5 bulbs? And on their website, how can I tell which bulbs are T5?
3) It says it has adjustible width tank mounts, does that mean I can adjust the width of the fixure to fit right over my tank? Or is it just the adjustible mounting legs that they have for the power compact coralife aqualights?
4) Also, I see it has two switches, one for each bulb, does this mean that I need two timers?

Sorry for all the questions.

Mako

 

[dizzied]

If you get this, or if someone else already has it, I'd love to get a review on it. I've been thinking about picking one up to replace my strip light.

 

[Mako Man111]

If you get this, or if someone else already has it, I'd love to get a review on it. I've been thinking about picking one up to replace my strip light.

I think I may have found something even better.

How about this Coralife Compact Flourescent 36 watt 24" fixture: http/www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl36...iplight1x36watt

With this bulb: http/www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl36...lampstraightpin

It would give me 1.8wpg, still lowlight but better penetration due to it being a Power Compact light. Whatcha think?

 

[Kombat]

I got mine at http/www.ahsupply.com. I'm happy with it. They sell DIY kits so you have to install and wire everything yourself, but it comes with directions and a wiring diagram. I was able to put their 55W kit into my All-Glass hood with no problems.

Karl