On Tue, 04 Apr 2006 17:12:00 -0400, Larry wrote:

On 4 Apr 2006 10:09:53 -0700, "IDzine01"
wrote:

John, I seriously need help.

They sell plant bulbs to fit my 30 gal so you can grow pretty plants
but they are only 20 watts which equates to about .6 watts / gal but 3
watts per gallon is supposed to be good light for most plants. Why do
they even make the lamps if they aren't bright enough? So I look for
higher wattage but it doesn't exist for my hood. Next I find VHO bulbs
at 75 watts (sounds good don't it?) only it's just the bulbs and there
aren't any hoods to plug the buggers into.

Am I going to have to spend hours on the internet learning how to be an
electrician in order to create some contraption to light my plants?


I think you'll need to invest in another hood. I had a standard
bulb(20w) for my 26g. and when I put plants in I had to go to a high
output source(55w) which in turn meant new ballasts to handle the
load. Cost about $75cdn. New bulb is worth $40 and lsts only
5-6months(before I notice decline in lower plant growth) boohoo.

Larry
You'd come out ahead for the money and the headaches by simply
purchasing a glass cover for your tank and a compact fluorescent strip
light. A single strip 55W or 65W fixture would give you a very healthy
2 watts per gallon, which will allow you to grow most popular plants
very nicely - 3W per gallon and up are going to require a commitment
from you to consider adding CO2 and some serious fertilization. I
think I just wrote a message similar to this a while ago to someone.
Maybe I'm just jealous because I can't afford super lighting and a
full blown CO2 injection system. No. I know that even if I could
afford those things, I do not have the self discipline I would need to
keep the tank operating at peak levels.

These guys have the best prices I've seen, and I've received good
reports from others that have purchased here.
http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp...TS&Category=25

They're a little steep on postage, around $15 if I recall, but they
still come out ahead of the competition.

-- Mister Gardener