Low lighting for a 20 Long

[orchidman]

Hi everyone, I did some searching but i couldnt find many good suggestiong, so i thought id ask. im planning a 20 long, i would like it to be low light for easy maintenance. I want to spend as little on this as possible! i want to buy a fixture, i dont have time for DIY and i want it to look nice and sleek, and not be bulky and ugly.

does anyone have suggestions of actual fixtures to purchase? i found two that i think would work, but i really am open to all other suggestions!

here are the two i found ( a 20 long is 30" long by the way)

http://www.kensfish.com/moreinfo/dee...-light-24.html (im almost positive it has extendable legs)

http://www.aquariumguys.com/aqualigh...t-fixture.html (the bulb on this one is 30". would bulbs prove difficult to find down the road?)


thanks in advance!

[Knox_legend]

Check out my DIY 20L lighting. I don't think it looks big or bulky and cost me about 25 bucks total including the dome lights

[iadubber]

Originally Posted by Knox_legend

Attachment 57509

Check out my DIY 20L lighting. I don't think it looks big or bulky and cost me about 25 bucks total including the dome lights

Exactly what I'm using. I need to paint mine black though!

[orchidman]

it doesnt look bad at all, although i would like something a little sleeker

[zoragen]

I have a 20g L also & just use a cheap single T8.

I've been thinking of upgrading - not for higher light - I don't want to do CO2 - but something sleeker & nicer - just better.

I don't think a single light shows off the fish very well either & my tank is in a rather dark location (basement).

I like what you've done Knox but where my tank is I don't have space to do that.

I kind of like the one from Kens fish.

[somewhatshocked]

Coralife T5NO 30" fixture. Two bulbs.

You can use window screen under the fixture to cut lighting down if you find that necessary.

[orchidman]

Originally Posted by somewhatshocked

Coralife T5NO 30" fixture. Two bulbs.

You can use window screen under the fixture to cut lighting down if you find that necessary.

do you think the second fixture i linked would be okay? i think its the same as a coralife, because its listed with a Colormax bulb.

[CytoEric]

Originally Posted by orchidman

do you think the second fixture i linked would be okay? i think its the same as a coralife, because its listed with a Colormax bulb.

You're right, those two fixtures are the same. It is a Coralife Aqualight.

[orchidman]

Originally Posted by CytoEric

You're right, those two fixtures are the same. It is a Coralife Aqualight.

cool!

so then do you guys think a 1 bulb would be a good choice? i really dont want to mess with co2

[CytoEric]

You can check Hoppy's charts to confirm, but the Coralife T5NO is not a particularly bright light and the reflectors are pretty poor. I believe you'll be in low light...I actually plan on buying it for my 20L where I intend on growing low light plants and moss. Like somewhatshocked said, if it does end up being a tad too bright, there are very easy ways to reduce the amount of light coming through.

[Hilde]

Originally Posted by orchidman

do you think the second fixture i linked would be okay?

Bulb replacements can be bought at Pet Blvd. The coralife light strip are listed as aqueon lights at Pet Smart.

[orchidman]

Originally Posted by Hilde

Bulb replacements can be bought atPet Blvd. The coralife light strip are listed as aqueon lights at Pet Smart.

thanks! i probably wont go with the solarmax alot of people have had quality issues...

im going to try (and hope) to get it at that fish place...


wow! haha those aqueon fixtures are really up-priced! $60 for a 24"

[Hilde]

Originally Posted by orchidman

thanks! i probably wont go with the solarmax

Also since it is a 10,000k the light will be very bright. This is usually for a deep tank.

[Allentan97]

if your willing to spend just a little more, aquatraders has cheap t5 lights. i have one, works great!

[somewhatshocked]

Since the OP wants low light, there's no need to spend more.

Originally Posted by Allentan97

if your willing to spend just a little more, aquatraders has cheap t5 lights. i have one, works great!