10 gal lighting with a T8

781 Views 3 Replies 2 Participants Last post by Imi Statue, Sep 18, 2012

zankotsu

Discussion Starter · Sep 17, 2012

I use a T8 18" 15 watt bulb for my 10gal. Obviously looking for more light without having to upgrade my fixture. Any recommendations? I know I won't get incredibly better lighting without switching to a T5 lamp.

My bulb is the 5500k Tropic Sun by Zoo Med.

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Imi Statue

· #2 · Sep 17, 2012

A few details about your fixture might be helpful here... If a standard fixture though your kinda stuck since it has only the ballast for the T8 supported, and retrofitting it will cost more than a simple upgrade to a different bulb type.

Check this out retrofitting: http://www.instructables.com/id/CFL-Bulb-The-Cheap-Upgrade-to-the-Aquarium-Hood-L/

or

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forum...ompact-Fluorescent-(CFL)-Strip-Light-Retrofit

or

http://www.aquariumforum.com/f34/diy-cfl-lights-original-fixtures-26379.html

I use this myself(pick the lower watts for new tank then upgrade when things are ready later on with higher watts): http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=153195

This should get you started.

Imi

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