Lighting suggestions for a 2.5g!

Jdinh04 · 11-05-2006, 02:46 AM

I recently picked up a 2.5g from a friend, i'm not sure what to do with it yet. I would like to hear any suggestions on how I should light this tank. The tank will probably be most likely grow one species of plant; glosso, dwarf hairgrass, or HC.

I was thinking of something like a 13watt kit from AH supply, but i'm not sure if I wanna spend $30 to light the tank.

mrbelvedere · 11-05-2006, 03:03 AM

Screw-in PC sounds like your best bet if cost is an issue.

With a desk lamp and a 6500K bulb, It could be had for around $5, assuming you have a desk lamp around. If not, you could be looking at (maybe) a whopping $20. All available at Wally World.

**epicfish** · 11-05-2006, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbelvedere

Screw-in PC sounds like your best bet if cost is an issue.

With a desk lamp and a 6500K bulb, It could be had for around $5, assuming you have a desk lamp around. If not, you could be looking at (maybe) a whopping $20. All available at Wally World.

Yep...that'd be the best way.

As for a fixture you can try the Jalli fixtures. =) 13w or 18w I think.

mrbelvedere · 11-05-2006, 03:24 AM

Jalli's a Chinese brand right?

I'd play it safe and spend your money elsewhere. Some people have good luck, others have potential house fires.

Jdinh04 · 11-05-2006, 05:21 PM

Hmm ... I might plant on getting a light fixture for this tank. Someone suggested a Perfecto light strip, which costs like $7 bucks at Petsmart. I would then need to find a screw in flourescent bulb.

**epicfish** · 11-05-2006, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbelvedere

Jalli's a Chinese brand right?

I'd play it safe and spend your money elsewhere. Some people have good luck, others have potential house fires.

People have had bad experiences with Jebo/Odyssea...haven't heard bad things about Jalli yet though. YMMV though.

milesm · 12-15-2006, 09:09 PM

hi,

i have a 36", 2 x 36 watt jalli strip light. it has separate switches for each bulb.

it works fine on my standard 30gal aga tank. however, the left side plastic cover literally fell to pieces. i don;t know if it was damaged during shipping or if it's just poor quality. i suspect the former, cuz the right side cover is still intact.

it's a pretty tough fixture. it has fallen into my tank (because of the missing left end piece; makes the fixture a tad short) a few times and after drying it out thoroughly, it works perfectly.

SPL-311 · 12-20-2006, 05:47 PM

Coralife mini 18w pc is nice. I've got one on my 2.5g and it'll gro HC and glosso fine. Also a nice sleek look. Probably run you around $30 shipped.

11-05-2006, 02:46 AM	#1
Jdinh04 Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (85/100%) Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: East Lansing, MI Posts: 2,664	Lighting suggestions for a 2.5g! I recently picked up a 2.5g from a friend, i'm not sure what to do with it yet. I would like to hear any suggestions on how I should light this tank. The tank will probably be most likely grow one species of plant; glosso, dwarf hairgrass, or HC. I was thinking of something like a 13watt kit from AH supply, but i'm not sure if I wanna spend $30 to light the tank. __________________ Connect with AquaScapist > Blog - Facebook - Twitter - YouTube

11-05-2006, 03:03 AM	#2
mrbelvedere Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (51/100%) Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Saint Joseph, Illinois Posts: 2,783	Screw-in PC sounds like your best bet if cost is an issue. With a desk lamp and a 6500K bulb, It could be had for around $5, assuming you have a desk lamp around. If not, you could be looking at (maybe) a whopping $20. All available at Wally World. __________________ In college....so no aquariums for a while.....

11-05-2006, 03:24 AM	#4
mrbelvedere Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (51/100%) Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Saint Joseph, Illinois Posts: 2,783	Jalli's a Chinese brand right? I'd play it safe and spend your money elsewhere. Some people have good luck, others have potential house fires. __________________ In college....so no aquariums for a while.....

11-05-2006, 05:21 PM	#5
Jdinh04 Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (85/100%) Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: East Lansing, MI Posts: 2,664	Hmm ... I might plant on getting a light fixture for this tank. Someone suggested a Perfecto light strip, which costs like $7 bucks at Petsmart. I would then need to find a screw in flourescent bulb. __________________ Connect with AquaScapist > Blog - Facebook - Twitter - YouTube

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12-15-2006, 09:09 PM	#7
milesm Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: HI Posts: 515	hi, i have a 36", 2 x 36 watt jalli strip light. it has separate switches for each bulb. it works fine on my standard 30gal aga tank. however, the left side plastic cover literally fell to pieces. i don;t know if it was damaged during shipping or if it's just poor quality. i suspect the former, cuz the right side cover is still intact. it's a pretty tough fixture. it has fallen into my tank (because of the missing left end piece; makes the fixture a tad short) a few times and after drying it out thoroughly, it works perfectly.

12-20-2006, 05:47 PM	#8
SPL-311 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: PDX Posts: 118	Coralife mini 18w pc is nice. I've got one on my 2.5g and it'll gro HC and glosso fine. Also a nice sleek look. Probably run you around $30 shipped.