Lighting

[krucianking]

First posting here thank you for all and any advice. I know another lighting question but could someone post a pic or link showing an inexpensive 48'' light setup. I have a 72 bow to be planted need at least under say 70 bucks.

[swampy1972]

First posting here thank you for all and any advice. I know another lighting question but could someone post a pic or link showing an inexpensive 48'' light setup. I have a 72 bow to be planted need at least under say 70 bucks.

Hi there,

Have a look at this. I hope this helps.

http://www.reefshops.com/t5-ho-light-fixture-4x54w-120cm.html

[yikesjason]

To be under $70 you are going to have to be creative and go low light. Spiral florescents are less effective than a regular fixture, but they are usually a lot cheaper. Another thing I have been thinking about recently is the florescent security flood lights they have at home depot.

Another thing you can do is just plant part of the tank. Here is a picture of my new grow out tank. I couldn't do it without some plants, so I just did some low light plants in one corner with a single 26w CFL light. It looks even better in person.
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/5647/img0417o.jpg

[theblondskeleton]

You could always go with a hanging T8 or T12 shop light. I have one over my 65 that cost me all of $9.00 at Home Depot.

[rickztahone]

To be under $70 you are going to have to be creative and go low light. Spiral florescents are less effective than a regular fixture, but they are usually a lot cheaper. Another thing I have been thinking about recently is the florescent security flood lights they have at home depot.

Another thing you can do is just plant part of the tank. Here is a picture of my new grow out tank. I couldn't do it without some plants, so I just did some low light plants in one corner with a single 26w CFL light. It looks even better in person.
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/5647/img0417o.jpg

since you decided to plant only one side, why not put the filter on the other side where it's dark and won't attract so much attention?

[Fishandturtlejunkie]

I suggest a DIY canopy with ODNO (http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/lighting/21257-odno-measurements-power-consumption-vs-light.html) and some decent reflectors. Also try fishneedit dot com for inexpensive lights. I have several of their bulbs that work fine.

[waters10]

First posting here thank you for all and any advice. I know another lighting question but could someone post a pic or link showing an inexpensive 48'' light setup. I have a 72 bow to be planted need at least under say 70 bucks.

Not sure if this is over your budget, but this one (http://www.fishneedit.com/t5ho-4ft--2lamp-aquarium-light.html) is one of the cheapest T5HO fixtures you can get that comes with individual reflectors. I was looking into that fixture and didn't find many reviews ... The reflectors don't seem to be up to the quality of Catalina, but it's still better than no reflector! I think it's somewhere between odyssea and catalina fixtures.

When I was doing my research, I ended up going with the catalina 3 bulb fixture. Mainly due to all the great reviews around, and flexibility of using 1, 2 or 3 bulbs.

[Fishandturtlejunkie]

Not sure if this is over your budget, but this one (http://www.fishneedit.com/t5ho-4ft--2lamp-aquarium-light.html) is one of the cheapest T5HO fixtures you can get that comes with individual reflectors. I was looking into that fixture and didn't find many reviews ... The reflectors don't seem to be up to the quality of Catalina, but it's still better than no reflector! I think it's somewhere between odyssea and catalina fixtures.

When I was doing my research, I ended up going with the catalina 3 bulb fixture. Mainly due to all the great reviews around, and flexibility of using 1, 2 or 3 bulbs.

X2 for fishneedit lights...on the cheap and work decent enough.