SpidersWeb Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Hey all, Got a couple of small tanks here (30L x 2), and dont want to pay $60-$70 buying light kits, so just wondering if normal lamps are ok with plant growth. Years ago I heard plants needed some special UV rays? Do all lamps create that, or was that bullocks or was that true? I've got a lamp with a 15W energy saver in it, and I'm sure I could dig up another lamp from somewhere. Plants are just indian fern, and java moss, but I dont want them to die off. Cheers, Jono P.S. gold coin budget Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suphew Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 They are both low light plants, any light would do, you could prob get away with having no light if the room is light, and you have the room light on in the evening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 I saw in the warehouse in the electrical section they have these short (30cm) fluorescent lamps for something like $4-7 each. They have a plug and cable going in one end and a clear plastic sheath over the light, then a cap and hook on the other end. I think they are designed as easily movable work lights. Anyway, I thought they could very easily and cheaply make good small tank lights. Just make a little cover to stop glare and direct light downwards. They are not the brightest, but probably ideal for what you want. The plastic sheath convieniently makes them splashproof. Stella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 I use the short fluoro saver bulbs and have no trouble getting my plants to grow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted August 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 Thanks everyone I've used an 8 watt fluro tube I had for working on my car, it sounds exactly like what Stella recommended above. Its a normal fluro tube, in a light plastic case, works great! Anywho tank looks great, great addition to the office room, I'll put up a photo or three tomorrow. Its inhabited by a few neons and five baby GBAs (so cute) at the moment. Its one of two tanks I've recently set up using sand as a substrate too, I'm loving it, except I think my sand is too fine, gravel vac picks up the sand :( but at 5.99 a bag beggers can't be choosers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shiuh Posted August 3, 2006 Report Share Posted August 3, 2006 I saw in the warehouse in the electrical section they have these short (30cm) fluorescent lamps for something like $4-7 each. They have a plug and cable going in one end and a clear plastic sheath over the light, then a cap and hook on the other end. I think they are designed as easily movable work lights. Anyway, I thought they could very easily and cheaply make good small tank lights. Just make a little cover to stop glare and direct light downwards. They are not the brightest, but probably ideal for what you want. The plastic sheath convieniently makes them splashproof. Stella exactly what i have used and designed for my breeding setups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharn Posted August 3, 2006 Report Share Posted August 3, 2006 i just got three of them with a filter i bought off TM. the light is a nice white colour and they light two footers perfectly (not sure about growing plants though). the cord is nice and long too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whetu Posted August 5, 2006 Report Share Posted August 5, 2006 The main thing is the light colour ('temperature') measured in kelvins. The old incandescent bulbs were all 'warm white' and give off a yellowish glow. Most of the fluoro bulbs sold in supermarkets are the same. They're not so good for growing plants, although they're marginally better than no light at all. You CAN get the energy-saver bulbs in 'cool white' but you need to look for them. The big red sheds have them, so do some supermarkets. Look for 6500 k marked on the pack. They're the ideal colour for growing plants, fit in a normal bayonet-style fitting, and are really cheap, which encourages you to replace them as often as you should (every 6 months to 1 year). Hope that helps whetu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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