Lighting help

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
D

DMasker

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 6, 2010
312
0
0
Arizona
Alright so I am in the process of setting up my 180 gallon tank. Money is tight and I now have the dilemma for choosing how light my tank.

I was looking into using a t-8 fixture from lowes I saw today while getting piping supplies. $20 for a 4 foot fixture. (my tank is 6ft, but I'm cool with this) But I stopped in the petsmart next to lowes to get some filter media and saw a 4ft t-5 fixture for $99. (both fixtures are setup for dual bulbs)

I am also trying to make a canopy. I am in a debate is using wood and coating it in white latex paint or finding glass or something else if it would be more cost effective. I am not sure.

What are your thoughts/experience/personal preference?
 
Depends on what you're keeping. If you're keeping an unplanted, freshwater tank, the T8 setup from Lowes would work just fine.

If it's a saltwater tank with no corals, the Lowes setup would be fine.

If keeping a planted tank or corals, upgrade to the T5s -- and it still might not be enough for whatever it is you're trying to grow.

As for canopies, can't help you there. I've never made one. If you don't care how it looks, just go with glass tops (or acrylic, whichever is cheaper) and set the light on top of it. If you want a nice, finished look, go with the canopy. I'm pretty sure there is water resistant paint out there.
 
Cool thanks guys! And it's freshwater, stock will at least be my fire eel and my P. Ansorgii. Plants aren't a must and I am still on the fence since I have a 75 planted. I might just go with low lights if anything.
 
I'm going with two 36" T5 coralife fixtures, they are slightly shorter than the advertised length... I like the look of T5 lighting for sure. Have a 30" on my 20 gallon planted and it works well.
 
Bump.
 
go the lowes route, i bought lowes lights for cheap and I have a planted tank. More than enough light for my tank. As long as you have the correct light spectrum on the bulbs they should do the same thing. If plants aren't essentiall and you think you can diy to look good i say go cheap.
 
I bought 2 36" twin t-5 fixtures by coralife for $50 each off off amazon, fixtures came with lamps
 
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