My cheapo lighting solution

[afterdark]

While I was at Home Depot this afternoon grabbing some Xmas presents, I managed to grab my lighting setup for my new 30G tank. I'm feeling pretty good about it considering what I paid...hopefully it's enough to light my tank (20 inches tall).

I picked up a T8 4 foot shop light with a sweet reflector on it. I had planned on using regular shop lights, but didn't want the light blasting everywhere, so this solves that problem - directing the light right at the tank. I paid $34.99.

Then I grabbed 2 different bulbs - both 32 Watt Phillips T8's. I got one 'Natural Sunlight' bulb (6700 colour temp.) and one 'Plant and Aquarium' bulb, which doesn't list a colour temperature.

On my way out, I stopped in the hardware section and got some decorative L brackets to hang the lamp from.

Total cost was around $60. ;D

The window blind is used after 8pm when the tank lights go out but the living room lights stay on.

If more light is needed, I plan to add a fixture with a spiral fluorescent blub.

[Rain_Frog]

i hope you realize that you can buy a four pack of 14 watt CF from HD for only $8. :wink:

[afterdark]

That I did not realize...maybe I should edit the title to read "My Not-so-cheapo lighting solution".

Anyway...the other reason I chose large 4 ft shoplights over other options is scalability. This way I can add another tank or two and not have to buy more lights. 8)

I did think about buying a standard wooden shelf and mounting some fluorescent strips underneath...

[eLisborg]

cheap!? not so cheap imo. i use those lights (but i get them at wal-mart for 18$+2$ for 2 bulbs) to light 4 10 gallons!=4 tanks with lighting at 5$ a piece.

[afterdark]

Originally Posted by afterdark

...maybe I should edit the title to read "My Not-so-cheapo lighting solution".

:roll:

Originally Posted by otis07

i use those lights (but i get them at wal-mart for 18$+2$ for 2 bulbs)

Are you saying you found the exact same bulbs I bought for $2 at Wal-Mart? Phillips T8 bulbs, either the Natural Sunlight or the Aquarium, for $2?

I purchased the bulbs I did because of their specific colour temperature. I didn't want just your standard fluorescent bulb...which I'm sure you could find for $2/each...

[kyle1745]

Home depot sells a cheap shop light that sells for $7 add $7 for some daylight bulbs and thats $14.

[afterdark]

Originally Posted by kyle1745

Home depot sells a cheap shop light that sells for $7 add $7 for some daylight bulbs and thats $14.

Okay, well, I thought I had something that might be helpful to someone, but after three posts that I spent too much money, I guess I'll shuffle back off to Canada... :roll: ops: :lol:

[kwazarr]

Awww...pay no attention to them Mike! Besides, if it makes you feel any better I ended up spending WAY more than $60 on my lighting! I"m almost embarassed to say how much in lieu of all this! ops: hehe I like the look of the reflector and the blind is a cool idea I hadn't really thought of either!

Have a good one!

Ross.

[eLisborg]

i just got standard florescent bulbs. i honestly think the other ones are a waste of money. if you are getting them for plants the regular ones work great. i have a mini greenhouse with the 2$ lights, all the plants are growing like crazy. they are all vivarium plants.

[afterdark]

Thanks kwazarr! 8)

otis07, thanks for specifying. Good to know that the plants don't mind regular fluorescents...

This tank is basically in my living room though, so I wanted something a little warmer than the 'cold' white of the regular fluorescents. :wink: