So this weekend I am building a canopy for my 220 (with the help of a few MFK'ers). The tank is 6x2 footprint with a 24x24 glass center brace. right now I am running 3x24" cheap lights from my old 55's. They actually only hold like 18" or 20" bulbs I think. Well since I'm finally getting a canopy I want to install some lighting in the canopy. I saw some T8 shop Lights at home depot. They have dual 48" fixtures for like $19.99. I have a few questions.
1: Will 4x48" T8 light this tank well enough? Will they light all the way down the 30" height?
2: These lights have a pull chain to turn on and off, but they plug in like normal. So couldn't I just plug them into timers and just leave them on?
3: Is there a better place to buy lights? I really wanted L.E.D's but can't find them bright enough for <$100
4: I currently run "Aqua Glo" bulbs (18000k) I love the purple look it gives my tank and my cichlids, but I think if I ran 4x 18000k bulbs I think it would be a little to much, and I might wind with algae issues to boot. Should I run 2x 18000k and 2x actinic bulbs. What would you guys do?
I'm tired of having a poorly lit tank. I see picks of peoples tank and I love how bright they are....Josh
1: Will 4x48" T8 light this tank well enough? Will they light all the way down the 30" height?
2: These lights have a pull chain to turn on and off, but they plug in like normal. So couldn't I just plug them into timers and just leave them on?
3: Is there a better place to buy lights? I really wanted L.E.D's but can't find them bright enough for <$100
4: I currently run "Aqua Glo" bulbs (18000k) I love the purple look it gives my tank and my cichlids, but I think if I ran 4x 18000k bulbs I think it would be a little to much, and I might wind with algae issues to boot. Should I run 2x 18000k and 2x actinic bulbs. What would you guys do?
I'm tired of having a poorly lit tank. I see picks of peoples tank and I love how bright they are....Josh
