How can I make DIY high light attachment for a 20 gallon high?

Vladdy · 06-05-2009, 08:47 PM

I have a 20 gallon high and the lighting is 1 watt per gallon. The lighting is not good enough for the plants and I was wondering how I can make a high light light attachment for the tank. Thanks for helping.

**Hoppy** · 06-05-2009, 09:12 PM

You can make your own light enclosure and install http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...unlight_Supply

Or, you can make your own enclosure and install a 1 x 55 watt Bright Kit from http://www.ahsupply.com/36-55w.htm

Both of those will give you high light intensity, possibly too high.

aschaal03 · 06-10-2009, 07:13 PM

I don't understand why you wouldn't just buy a preassembled light fixture for the prices charged there. I'm not trying to criticize, I'm just wondering how buying that makes DIY any cheaper than non-DIY?

**Hoppy** · 06-10-2009, 07:42 PM

Those prices reflect the quality of the parts involved, primarily the reflectors. Of course if you can buy a fixture for close to those prices, that is what you should do, but don't be fooled by a fixture that has the bulbs very close together and with no reflector to speak of. Those are not equivalent.

aschaal03 · 06-10-2009, 09:29 PM

Ah okay, so the reflectors are the main price booster there? I read they use a special kind of reflector that gets near 100%. Tempting...

Thanks, Hoppy.

**dbosman@msu.edu** · 06-11-2009, 03:23 AM

Properly shaped specular aluminum reflectors are theoretically capable of 95% reflection. When new. Unfortunately they water spot and can oxidize. But gosh, even bad specular aluminum reflectors are a whole lot better than two tubes next to each other.

On a 20h a 55/65 watt power compact will do a great job of lighting the tank and growing plants and algae, unless you manage carbon and ferts.

06-05-2009, 08:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
Vladdy Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: May 2008 Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida Posts: 376	How can I make DIY high light attachment for a 20 gallon high? I have a 20 gallon high and the lighting is 1 watt per gallon. The lighting is not good enough for the plants and I was wondering how I can make a high light light attachment for the tank. Thanks for helping. __________________ My PSP mod: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVKgh-GwvE4 My 10 Gallon Aquarium Journal http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...rimp-tank.html

06-05-2009, 09:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
Hoppy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (22/100%) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 5,683	You can make your own light enclosure and install http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...unlight_Supply Or, you can make your own enclosure and install a 1 x 55 watt Bright Kit from http://www.ahsupply.com/36-55w.htm Both of those will give you high light intensity, possibly too high. __________________ Hoppy

06-10-2009, 07:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
Hoppy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (22/100%) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 5,683	Those prices reflect the quality of the parts involved, primarily the reflectors. Of course if you can buy a fixture for close to those prices, that is what you should do, but don't be fooled by a fixture that has the bulbs very close together and with no reflector to speak of. Those are not equivalent. __________________ Hoppy

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06-10-2009, 07:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
aschaal03 Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Plainfield(Chicago), IL Posts: 326	I don't understand why you wouldn't just buy a preassembled light fixture for the prices charged there. I'm not trying to criticize, I'm just wondering how buying that makes DIY any cheaper than non-DIY?

06-10-2009, 09:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
aschaal03 Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Plainfield(Chicago), IL Posts: 326	Ah okay, so the reflectors are the main price booster there? I read they use a special kind of reflector that gets near 100%. Tempting... Thanks, Hoppy.

06-11-2009, 03:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
dbosman@msu.edu Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: East Lansing, MI, USA Posts: 600	Properly shaped specular aluminum reflectors are theoretically capable of 95% reflection. When new. Unfortunately they water spot and can oxidize. But gosh, even bad specular aluminum reflectors are a whole lot better than two tubes next to each other. On a 20h a 55/65 watt power compact will do a great job of lighting the tank and growing plants and algae, unless you manage carbon and ferts.

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