cheap lighting solution

[scoobinater]

I'm new at this aquarium hobby and am enjoying it quite a lot. I started about 6 weeks ago with a 36x12x16 (29 gal.) freshwater tank and 8-10 fish (guppies & neon tetras).

I added a few plants and quickly learned that the single 24" fluorescent tube was insufficient to sustain plant life. I went to various stores in search of better lighting, only to be shocked at how much money I would need to spend.

Determined not to break the bank (and not to buy plastic plants) I thought I would give these a try:

http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/20370383



I bought a pair of them ($10 each) and am using 6500K compact fluorescent bulbs (23-watts). I bought the bulbs at Rona. I'd have to check, but I believe they are Phillips Marathon.

After just 3 days, plants that were looking seriously ill are now as green as ever and flourishing very nicely. All together, this lighting setup cost me about $35 including taxes and I've gotten rid of the old 24" tube I had been using. I'll be adding more plants soon.

[kennyman]

Good going 

I went with a shoplight fixture suspended from the ceiling with glass tops myself. It put 80W of 6500k daylight over my tank for under $50. Plenty of options around for affordable lighting if you are willing to break away from the plastic canopy design.