Diamond Fixture Questions (starting page 2)

[Rush3737]

I'm looking to do my first planted tank and will either get a 55 or 75 gallon tank. I'm doing this on somewhat of a budget (watching for tanks on Craigslist), and would like to try and keep lighting for under $100, or maybe just over that for a 75. What would you guys recommend for that price range? Tank will be low tech.

[thelub]

Lowes sells 2 T12 bulb fluorescent fixtures for $25 bucks and the phillips 6700k plant bulbs for about $8 a piece. I'm running just 1 bulb in my lowes fixture and I'm seeing moderate plant growth on new stems I bought from a forum member here.

[dprais1]

use the dome lights and cfl bulbs. that could put you in the high light range I believe depending on how many you use and how far from the top they are

[Rush3737]

You guys are talking about something like this?

http://www.lowes.com/pd_159578-337-I...7C1&facetInfo=

If so can you just set the fixture on the top of the tank, or will I have to rig something up to suspend it above the tank?

And thank you for the speedy replies!

[seandelevan]

Originally Posted by dprais1

use the dome lights and cfl bulbs. that could put you in the high light range I believe depending on how many you use and how far from the top they are

+1 on this. I have a 75 with only 2 dome lights with 20 watt cfl and it works great. Growth is moderate and I have zero algae problems.

[BriDroid]

Look at the home depot diamond plate fixture. It actually has chrome instead of white paint. Also, Hoppy has PAR data posted on here somewhere with that fixture. Find the bulbs he was using and you have a good idea how much light your putting out.

[Rush3737]

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/lithoni...l#.UP4Gfyc8048

That there? I was actually considering that the other day when I was searching the topics here and getting an idea of things.

I'll look for Hoppy's info.

Do units like this typically have any noise to them?

[sdylanh]

If you're into doing somewhat DIY, look at this setup I just posted: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=221073

All in about $90 bucks. Mine is on a 55, but should work just as well on a 75. Also, the LEDs should last for years and use little electricity while giving the water that nice shimmer effect. I also love how my fish and plants look under LEDs.

[BriDroid]

Originally Posted by Rush3737

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/lithoni...l#.UP4Gfyc8048

That there? I was actually considering that the other day when I was searching the topics here and getting an idea of things.

I'll look for Hoppy's info.

Do units like this typically have any noise to them?

That's them. With the electronic ballasts they have now, they're really quiet. No him like old magnetic ballasts and almost instant startup.

[BBradbury]

Originally Posted by Rush3737

I'm looking to do my first planted tank and will either get a 55 or 75 gallon tank. I'm doing this on somewhat of a budget (watching for tanks on Craigslist), and would like to try and keep lighting for under $100, or maybe just over that for a 75. What would you guys recommend for that price range? Tank will be low tech.

Hello Rush...

Get a glass canopy from one of the fish places online, they're inexpensive. Then, a strip from the local hardware store that holds two 48 inch bulbs. GE makes a good aquarium 6500K, plant bulb for about $10.00 a piece, at the same hardware store. I put together a similar set up for less than $100.00 a tank for a couple of 55 G tanks.

If you want to go a little techie and add LED lights, then check online for a company by the name of Solarmax. They have 48 inch strips for about $100.00, including shipping. A company by the name of alphaprobreeders is a distributor of some of this brand of lighting.

Just a couple of suggestions.

B

[funkman262]

There are some Odyssea fixtures on ebay that are fairly inexpensive, although I've read that it may be necessary to swap out the bulbs right away.

[Rush3737]

Thanks guys, you're giving me a lot to go on.

One of my big questions remains that if I get the diamond fixture from Home Depot (or any other light like it), will I be able to just set it on top of the tank or will I have to find some way to suspend it above?

sdylanh, I love the idea of LEDs and basically never having to worry about the thing again, so if I think I can pull something like that off it may very well be the ticket.

bridroid, that's great to hear, as that was my one major concern with that route as the tank will likely be in the bedroom.

BBradbury, are you suggesting the glass top would support something like the fixture we were discussing earlier? If so what's the best site you'd recommend for purchasing something like that? Also, what's the best place to purchase solarmax products if I go that route?

funkman, I had looked into Odyssea fixtures and had not seen many great reviews on their stuff so will likely shy away from them.

[Rush3737]

After seeing the awesome work down by sow and hoppy I can happily say I think I'll be able to do lighting at home depot for under $50, excellent!!!

Just want to make doubly sure quick though that these are the bulbs: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-25ec...1#.UP7WLx37Jc0

[BriDroid]

Those will work great. I actually liked the Philips better than the GE bulbs. The color was just better to my eye.

Originally Posted by Rush3737

After seeing the awesome work down by sow and hoppy I can happily say I think I'll be able to do lighting at home depot for under $50, excellent!!!

Just want to make doubly sure quick though that these are the bulbs: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-25ec...1#.UP7WLx37Jc0

[Rush3737]

Excellent, thanks!

Now I'm all set, all I need to do is pick this up! Oh, and buy the tank/stand, the filter, the substrate, the heater, the plants, and then the fish!

But seriously, it's nice to know that after I get the tank I can knock lighting out with a trip to the hardware store.