Cheap light upgrade

[Fishguy2727]

I am trying to figure out how to light my 55 salt that I will be setting up soon. I also needed to upgrade the lights on my 40breeder. So I bought a couple $6 clamp shop lights and a couple screw in compact fluorescent bulbs. Total cost about $25. I already use them in the main light for the 40breeder. These have a better color though, they are more of a blue white than a red white. It looks much better. Here is a pic of the 40breeder now.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c207/reptileguy2727/IMG_0401.jpg

[Rue]

*ACK* I wouldn't do that! I see an easy-electrocution in the near future!

Stick with properly designed lighting hoods...that's so not safe!

As for SW...T5s or halides...Halides are supposed to be 'better' all 'round (I'll let someone else explain whay :hmm3grin2orange: )...but they're also hotter, more expensive to buy and to run...so I'd rather stick with the flourescents...

[Lady Hobbs]

I'd have to agree with Rue. I'd find these very scary.

[gm72]

For safety's sake I would at least get a piece of plexiglass cut to fit on the top of the tank. You could easily fashion a hinged opening also to allow easy feeding.

[Fishguy2727]

They have a nice strong clamp. If anything the one hanging is more questionable. It is an open-topped tank and I want to keep it that way, especially when the swords (hopefully) get a lot bigger and grow out the top. As backup they are on a powerstrip that would shutoff as well as a GCFI protected outlet.

My cousin is breaking down his 90 and I get whatever of his I want. He has compact fluorescents and I am not wanting to get in to any of the corals that require more light than the compacts.

[OscarFan]

looks kind of like mine accept I have plastic covering the tank.

[cocoa_pleco]

ditto, for SW T-5 or PC are fine, i ripped my MH off of the 55g, too hot. i have 350w of T-5 and HO fluorescent and all is good

[Dave66]

The only concern I'd have is water splash corroding the connections causing a short. Long as you keep your water levels high, your HOBs won't be splashing.

Dave

[Fishguy2727]

I was looking at that tonight. I am topping off a couple gallons every couple days because it is a warm tank (83F) with an open top. Dry winter air isn't helping.