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Please help with lighting. :(

987 views 5 replies 3 participants last post by  Byron 
#1 ·
I'm so lost about what light fixture to use for my 20 long... I don't have a lid and want to avoid buying an aquarium hood (I make my own).
I recently bought a fluorescent under cabinet light fixture.. Did not think that through, anyways it specifically says "not for use with aquariums" and though my dad says it's fine, I'm TERRIFIED of electricity and am not risking it.
The aquarium is 30"x 12"
What sort of lighting fixture would you use?
I have no real problem with choosing bulbs, but I'm confused as to what T8 or T12 mean, so that'd be nice to know!
I'm going to post an ad on kijiji for a cheap hood but I doubt I'll find one, so any help would be nice.
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#2 ·
Is the tank going to be planted or not?

What kind of fish are you keeping in it?
 
#3 ·
Woops, left that out!
Yes, it's supposed to be low light planted well. I DID buy a pink Hygro today, which needs medium light to stay pink, but I'd be happy enough if it could survive, haha.
The main residents of the tank will be threadfin and celebes rainbowfish. :)
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#4 ·
I have a single T8 tube, 24 inches, over my 29g which is 30 inch length by 12 so probably the same. I was sitting there a few moments ago noticing how well the plants are doing in this tank. Here's a photo.

I got an Aqueon basic fluorescent T8 hood for this tank and use a Life-Glo 2 6700K 20w tube. You could also use incandescent with 2 sockets and then two CFL daylight bulbs. And another option but much more expense would be LED.

BTW, T8 and T12 are basically the same, but T8 is the "newer" version and thus more energy efficient.

Byron.
 

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#5 ·
Ohh, okay.
I'd love awesome plants like that! However I'd rather spend the $50 for a hood on something in the tank. How much did the hood run you? Do you use plant specific aquarium bulbs or regular ones? I've seen up to 6500K at home depot, and Lowe's has a 6500K 22 inch tube for like $8.
Trying to save some costs!
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#6 ·
Ohh, okay.
I'd love awesome plants like that! However I'd rather spend the $50 for a hood on something in the tank. How much did the hood run you? Do you use plant specific aquarium bulbs or regular ones? I've seen up to 6500K at home depot, and Lowe's has a 6500K 22 inch tube for like $8.
Trying to save some costs!
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I bought this tank with the hood at Petsmart about a year ago. I like the hood, it seems sturdy, and the glass is well sealed in. Can't remember the cost, but it was a combo deal anyway.

In my single-tube tanks i so far have stayed with Life-Glo tubes because they are good. ZooMed makes one called Ultra Sun that is basically identical (also 6700K) but no one here carries these any longer. Getting the hardware-type in small sizes is not easy, most are still T12 and I prefer T8, but the GE, Phillips or Sylvania 6500K tubes are much the same if you can find them. I use these in 48 inches on my larger tanks, they are T8. The Phillips are $8 for a pair (Home Depot), the GE are $12 for a pair (Canadian Tire).
 
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