Clamp Lights

[Ellen4God]

I've been trying to come up with a good lighting option for my 20g long. I was wondering if I could get a couple of these:

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I would just get those, clamp them to the tank, and point them down, right? One on either side of the tank. If I went that route, what kind of bulbs would I get?

[Sir Tristen]

You would want something like a 6700 k compact flourescent bulb. They would probably have some there at Lowes. Depending on your interest in co2 and ferts you could get some of their brighter bulbs or some of the lower wattages.

[Fishguy2727]

I have a couple of the smaller ones on my open-topped 40breeder. I think the open top tank is a better option. Those fixtures are great, as said you would want a screw-in compact fluorescent bulb. Home Depot's CFs are labeled to indicate whether they are white, reddish white, or bluish white. I have seen some people light tanks over 100 gallons with those types of fixtures.

[Ellen4God]

I have a couple of the smaller ones on my open-topped 40breeder. I think the open top tank is a better option. Those fixtures are great, as said you would want a screw-in compact fluorescent bulb. Home Depot's CFs are labeled to indicate whether they are white, reddish white, or bluish white. I have seen some people light tanks over 100 gallons with those types of fixtures.

I didn't think about leaving it open top - but could I leave the glass top on it, or would I need to take that off?

Would I need to go with smaller ones? Those are just the ones I clicked on to be honest. :)

[Fishguy2727]

It depends on the bulb you are going to use. If you use the glass you would just take off the clamp part. I just think the open top adds a whole nother dimension to the tank, I find it more natural.

[Ellen4God]

It depends on the bulb you are going to use. If you use the glass you would just take off the clamp part. I just think the open top adds a whole nother dimension to the tank, I find it more natural.

Oh like - take the clamp off and place the lamp directly onto the glass?

I like the look of open top tanks too - but I just recently got a mystery snail. I don't think I can have an open top tank with mystery snails.

[Fishguy2727]

Yeah, set the dome on the glass. That is why you need to make sure that works with the bulb you will use. If the bulb is too long it will keep the dome from sitting properly. They make some as flood lamps so it is a screw-in compact fluorescent with a built-in reflector. That is the kind I have on my 40breeder. Otherwise you lose a lot of the light to restrike.

[Ellen4God]

Yeah, set the dome on the glass. That is why you need to make sure that works with the bulb you will use. If the bulb is too long it will keep the dome from sitting properly. They make some as flood lamps so it is a screw-in compact fluorescent with a built-in reflector. That is the kind I have on my 40breeder. Otherwise you lose a lot of the light to restrike.

Glad I asked before I bought!! :) Thanks for your help :11:

[MCHRKiller]

There was a person who used these on another forum I lurk on on a 20G long. She had 2 of them on a 20G long with 2*15watt CF 15watt bulbs. I use these bulbs in a standard 10G incandescent hood on my 15G High and theyre fairly short and should work fine in them. Great lighting alternative and I know that person's tank is flooded with plants :)