Upgraded lighting on 55g

**country_boy454** · 07-12-2008, 02:18 AM

Well I have finally decided to upgrade the lighting on my 55g tank. I want to add more plants and have decided that it is in major need of more lighting. The tank came with 2-24" lights that had 20w bulbs in it. That is only 0.72wpg! No wonder the tank looked dark! Well I went to Home Depot today in search of a DIY light. Came across the shop light section and decided on a dual bulb 48" t-12 40w fixture. It will work perfectly behind the two original lights. The tank will have an open top now but thats ok with me. I am in the process of making some legs for the shop light to sit on. Loaded the shop light with 2-40w 5500k bulbs. I will be getting some aluminum tape to put inside the reflector to help it reflect more light. The total price for the new fixture plus the bulbs came to a whopping $15!

Now the tank has 120w of light = 2.18wpg! The tank looks so much brighter and the fish seem more colorful! Now it is time to order some plants.

**gm72** · 07-12-2008, 02:41 AM

Aluminum tape is a good idea, but mylar is an even more efficient reflector, FYI. Sounds like a great project!

**country_boy454** · 07-12-2008, 02:45 AM

Originally Posted by gm72

Aluminum tape is a good idea, but mylar is an even more efficient reflector, FYI. Sounds like a great project!

Well I'll look into this mylar stuff as I have no clue what it is!

**gm72** · 07-12-2008, 03:40 AM

FYI via Google. No research, just one of the first things that showed up:

http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/items.asp...atus=0&Tp=&Bc=

**PUNISHER VETTE** · 07-12-2008, 03:42 AM

yeah i'm not positive but i think aluminum actually absorbs a lot of light then it actually reflects.

**gm72** · 07-12-2008, 03:43 AM

Actually aluminum is known as a diffusor vs. a reflector. Very different physics concepts. Good point though, no doubt.

**Sounguru** · 07-12-2008, 03:49 AM

Dude you and I are like so on the same page... First the homemade food now the upgraded lighting. I'm going one better though I'm buying 3 of the same fixture tearing them apart then putting the works in a hood. which will give me 3.2 watts per gallon on a 75.... Then I have to add moon lights.

I was talking to my wife just before I read your post about going to Lowes to pick up the lights.

Now are you also building your own filter with a sand filter and co2 reactor in-line?

**country_boy454** · 07-12-2008, 04:28 AM

The fixture is big enough for moonlights but I dunno if I'm going that route yet. Not doing the filter! I do have a DIY CO2 setup that I am modifying for the 55. Its off my 29g that I used to have.

Well now I know what Mylar is I will be on the lookout at the local hardware stores and what not. I was told to use aluminum tape by a fellow person over at aquariacentral. Mylar sounds better!

**gm72** · 07-12-2008, 01:50 PM

Mylar is indeed better. There is a ton of research on the reflectivity of, in particular, white paint, aluminum, and mylar. Mylar always has the data to back up that it is the superior reflector.