Lighting for 55g

**korith** · 02-01-2009, 08:01 AM

Well initially my 55g tank, had a 40watt single 48" strip light on it.

Just recently I ended up getting a shop light with 2 32 watt t8 fluorescents giving me 64 watts. Had hoped to get 2 shop lights on top of the tank, but the lights are too wide to fit, since I have to leave room for the filters as well. Think I will be returning the shop light, it's just not giving enough light.

I had hoped to avoid paying a lot of money for lighting fixture, but it looks like I may have to. I could use some help in picking a fixture, anyone got any links to fixtures, or recommendations, I'd like to get around 100 watts, and keep the cost under $100.

**Commodore 64** · 02-01-2009, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by korith

Well initially my 55g tank, had a 40watt single 48" strip light on it.

Just recently I ended up getting a shop light with 2 32 watt t8 fluorescents giving me 64 watts. Had hoped to get 2 shop lights on top of the tank, but the lights are too wide to fit, since I have to leave room for the filters as well. Think I will be returning the shop light, it's just not giving enough light.

I had hoped to avoid paying a lot of money for lighting fixture, but it looks like I may have to. I could use some help in picking a fixture, anyone got any links to fixtures, or recommendations, I'd like to get around 100 watts, and keep the cost under $100.

Couple options:

1. This Guy says he won't have any more until March 2009 (I emailed him).

2. You could go ODNO and spend 30 bucks on a 4F32T8 electronic ballast at Lowes or Home Despot and rewire your shoplight to run 2, 2x ODNO T8 bulbs. I did this for a while and the heat output at 2x ODNO isn't too bad. I subsequently found another 2F32T8 ballast and rewired that shoplight to be 1, 4x ODNO and 1, 2X ODNO bulb...I have that hanging in my basement over a grow-out tank, and I also start seeds for my garden with it.

3. Go with a Current Nova Extreme Fixture for ~$113 + shipping...Check It.

**korith** · 02-01-2009, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by Commodore 64

Couple options:

1. This Guy says he won't have any more until March 2009 (I emailed him).

2. You could go ODNO and spend 30 bucks on a 4F32T8 electronic ballast at Lowes or Home Despot and rewire your shoplight to run 2, 2x ODNO T8 bulbs. I did this for a while and the heat output at 2x ODNO isn't too bad. I subsequently found another 2F32T8 ballast and rewired that shoplight to be 1, 4x ODNO and 1, 2X ODNO bulb...I have that hanging in my basement over a grow-out tank, and I also start seeds for my garden with it.

3. Go with a Current Nova Extreme Fixture for ~$113 + shipping...Check It.

Thanks this was just what I was looking for idea wise. I had looked and was considering the nova extreme before, but the more I read on lighting the more confused I got. Had been thinking about a t5 or t8 fixture, being more power efficient is always a good thing. The first link you posted, that light would have been great, probably could have salvaged my old hood as well for it.

It seems a diy fixture is cheaper, but then you have to consider the right type of deflectors, and then figure out a way to mount it, and to make it look decent. A ready made fixture is probably the easier route, though more costly.