DIY lighting using old all-glass strip light?

[Schala]

I have a 20 gallon high and I need more lighting. I originally bought an all-glass deluxe hood and light strip. The strip light holds one 20 watt bulb.

Is there anyway I can use the strip light I have, take it apart, and put in more lights? Is this process expensive? The problem is that I know next to nothing about wiring and DIY. I would really like to use the casing of the strip light I have since it will fit and match my hood.

Thanks in advance for any tips/instructions/input.

[Schala]

I've been looking around and it seems as if the only way to go is to order a retrofit kit. The problem with this is that it is expensive.

A 55 watt compact fluorescent will get me 2.75 watts per gallon. For less money, I could buy a dual tube strip light. 2 20watt bubs would get me 2 watts per gallon. Is it worth the extra money to get the extra .75 per gallon or will plants do fine with 2 watts per gallon?

If I need more than 2 watts, are there any inexpensive ways of modifying a strip light? Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of money to spend. :cry:

[m.lemay]

http://ahsupply.com/
Have you looked at this site for a 55 watt retro kit for your strip light. They have a real nice kit and it's really not that difficult to install it into your strip light.
Item # 30551 1x55watt kit for $41 plus the bulb. Not a bad deal. The reflector is kick-ass too. 8)

Marcel

[Work In Progress]

For less money, I could buy a dual tube strip light. 2 20watt bubs would get me 2 watts per gallon. Is it worth the extra money to get the extra .75 per gallon or will plants do fine with 2 watts per gallon?

If you had a glass cover over your tank, is there no way you could get the double strip and just use it with the strip you already have? Ya know like, set the double in front or behind the existing strip? That would give you 60w. I am grasping at straws for ya, as I am going through the lighting delima also...

Kelly

[Schala]

The hood isn't glass so I can't put both. That was a good idea too.. :?

Those retrofit kits.. they are expensive, but might be my only option. Are they difficult to put together? Would 2.75 watts per gallon be enough for most plants?

Would it maybe be cheaper to get the parts at the hardware store. My grandpa is an electrician and I bet he'd put it all together for me. I'm not sure what I'd need to get, though.

[Schala]

Another question about the kits. Do they have an on/off switch or is it completely dependent on a timer?

[jart]

to make it easier to address what you can and can't do with your current setup:

1) how many more bulbs can you fit into your fixture? how many bulbs can you fit over your tank?

2) have you read the info on odno lighting (see the section on this forum under lighting)?

3) how new is your hood? could you return it? building your own is not that hard. then you'll have exactly what you want.

btw, there's not a whole lot of parts required to adding an extra light. end caps, ballast, some wire. if you are adding an extra ballast it'll add quite a bit more weight. get you grandpa to add a gfci outlet, if one's not already there.

perhaps you could post a pic of your current setup... that might help.

regards

[Rex Grigg]

If you look at the AH Supply reto fit kits they come with everything needed to mount the kit in the housing of your current strip. They will use the switch in the strip. You can't pick up the contents of the upgrade kit at the local hardware store. First off the reflector can only be gotten at AH Supply. Second it's hard to find the ballasts for CF lights. It's also hard to find the lights. So your best bet is to go to http://www.ahsupply.com and order a 1x55 upgrade kit and a 55 watt bulb in the 5000k-6500k bulb. You will be very glad you did.

[Schala]

I have decided to order the 55watt kit, gut my light strip and install the kit inside.

I read the odno post but I didn't really understand. ops:
The kit is pricey, but I think it's the best choice.

Do you think a 6400K bulb is a good choice? Is it tinted in any way (blue, yellow)?

[Work In Progress]

The hood isn't glass so I can't put both. That was a good idea too..

Not sure of what size your tank is, but glass covers are pretty cheap, check out this site:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...=6&pCatId=3781

I know if your anything like me, the prices of some of the retros and compacts will make your wallet cringe in fear

Kelly

[Schala]

Yes, quite pricey. I sat with the order window open for a long time wondering if I really liked plants that much. :lol:

The reason I decided to go with compact fluorescent was because I found out that my hood actually holds 15 watt bulbs, not 20. So even if I got a dual tube light strip, it would only be 30 watts.

The kit only cost about $40 and the bulb was another $20. It was expensive, but I couldn't find another alternative. At least I'll be able to keep pretty plants this way.

[Work In Progress]

Sounds great and your plants should love you for it!
I on the other hand, have a 55g and can't afford to get compacts for mine. I am tooooo broke :roll:
You will have to show us pics after you get set up!

Kelly

[m.lemay]

Schala; you made the right move ! You won't regret it, I promise.

Marcel

[Rex Grigg]

WIP, you could get AH supply kits and bulbs for around $110 shipped. Not bad for 110 watts of light. And you will actually get more usable light from that than you would two shop lights. It's all in the reflectors.

[Schala]

Originally Posted by Work In Progress

I on the other hand, have a 55g and can't afford to get compacts for mine. I am tooooo broke :roll:

I can't imaging how much it will cost to light a 55 gallon. 4x55 kits (4 watts per gallon) would cost $125 plus costs of bulbs. I only bring this up because I plan on getting a 55 gallon sometime this summer. Maybe I'll go with 2x55 kits ($64), but it depends on how well my plants do with that amount in the 20 gallon.

I can't wait to see the difference in lighting. Going from 15 watts to 55 watts is quite a jump.