Basic lighting questions

[Rémi]

I have been doing much research into the matter but I still have a hard time finding concrete answers to what I see as very basic questions so I'm hoping you guys can help me out.

Can you fit a T5 bulb in a standard (T8) aquarium light strip? If not, how can you add light to a small sized aquarium without modifying or getting rid of the canopy? Do they sell T5 fixtures that are the same dimensions? I have a low-tech 20g planted aquarium I would like to add light to but I do not wish to change the canopy, get a glass top or anything of the sort. It has a standard fluorescent strip with a 6500k bulb I have put in but it's currently running less then 1watt/gallon in a fairly sunny room.

I have something like this: http://www.connecticutvalleybiological.com/images/A2221.gif

Is there a way (LED strips under the canopy, new strip that fits the canopy, new bulb etc.) that I can add more light without changing the canopy?

I don't like open tops or glass covers and I don't want to build a canopy. I have a 5g that came with an incandescent top which I switch the bulbs for compact fluorescents and that tank is doing great. I'm wondering if my best option might be to find an incandescent strip that has the same diameters as my current fluorescent one and then put in some compact fluorescent bulbs in (10-15w each) that would give me more wattage.

Any thoughts?

Also, I have read and heard different opinions on how long to leave lights on for. I know there is much preference in this matter but I am wondering if leaving lights on for a longer period of time (12-14hours say) would compensate for low-light.

Lastly, should one remove the glass between the light and water? I don't know if this is relevant for plants.

Thanks!

[robt18]

T5 Pins won't fit into a T8 fixture, but you can buy 2-bulb Standard Output T5 fixtures that will fit in the same place as a T8 does. They have much higher output than T8s, and you won't have to run them as long. (Probably closer to 8-9 hours)

[lost_at_sea]

They absolutely sell smaller T5 fixtures.  I used to have a 2 bulb T5 fixture over top of my 30g tank.

For a tank that size you could also look at getting a few LED strips and installing them in the canopy.

[Rémi]

I went to Big Al's and they didn't have a t5 that would fit exactly over my canopy. However I'm considering buying an incandescent canopy and screwing in a couple compact fluorescents (such as these:http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/3/HouseHome/Lighting/CompactFluorescentBulbs/PRD~0525517P/Ultra%252BBright%252BWhite%252B40W%252BCFL%252BBulb.jsp?locale=en)

That would give me 4 watts per gallon if the 40w don't get too hot for the canopy or the 25w ones that would give me 2.5 watts per gallon. This seems like the better way to go for smaller aquariums, since t5s are expensive.

Is there anything I'm missing? Any reason I shouldn't switch over to an incandescent hood rather then a fluorescent one?

[jon1985]

one thing you could consider if you are at all handy would be to buy a T5 ballast and some end caps and make your own fixture inside your canopy. 

I recently did thi with a 4 bulb 24" fixture.  The ballast cost be about $50 and the end caps where $5/pair so for less than $100 I had a fixture that only needed bulbs.

[Saltcreep]

I may be wrong here, but with CFLs, I think you have to look more at the wattage equivalent than the wattage consumed. The light output of these twistys is definitely higher than the stated wattage, although not likely as high as the manufacturers claim. They usually put their equivalent wattage estimate on the package. I didn't try to paste in your link, but by far the best CFLs I've found are the Phillips Daylight Deluxe. They are either 6500K or 6700K. Usually find it on the bottom of the box simply written as '6500' or '6700'.  I'm currently using 2 X 13W and 2 X 23W on a 2' deep tank. That is supposedly the equivalent of 320 watts of fluorescent light. The tank is definitely bright enough and the plants look very healthy.

[Stussi613]

The cheapest, and likely most effective, solution would be to take the ballast and sockets out of your fixture, then attach a couple of regular sockets that get wired to the wiring that was going to the ballast...put a few good quality Phillips CFL's in as Saltcreep was saying.  It's going to be a bit of a Frankenstein-canopy, but you should be able to salvage everything but the ballast and sockets. The general rule of thumb for low tech tanks varies based on what's in it but its usually given in watts of fluorescent vs. incandescent.  You would have around 2 watts per gallon with two 23 watt CFL's...which is decent for a low tech 20g. 

[Rémi]

I bought a compact fluorescent bulb and the spiral type (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Compact-Fluorescent-Bulb.jpg) won't fit however the tubular type (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Energiesparlampe_01_retouched.jpg) will.

I think I will buy a new light strip that is incandescent and put some tubular bulbs in (although I'm having a hard time finding them).

[HappyGuppy]

I think I will buy a new light strip that is incandescent and put some tubular bulbs in (although I'm having a hard time finding them).

If you find a supplier please PM me; I'd like to know too.  One tank, which has inadequate light simply has a CFL bulb with a clamp on lamp pointing at the side of the tank to supplement the light needed (you saw it).  I've gone to Home Depot looking at more elegant lighting solutions.  I think in the end that I'll simply set up another tube light at the top of the back glass... unless you can figure out how to get what you said above.

[Toss]

You can find the tubular type at dollar store. The last time I purchased them was Sunbeam brand. I didn't like the colour, too much yellow, and the short life span. Well I guess you get what you paid for. I end up with 2' T5 Sunblaster I bought from hydroponic store. In your case, you might need to remove all the lighting hardware from your canopy and replace it with this T5. It is easier than you thought and the result is amazing.

[Saltcreep]

I bought a compact fluorescent bulb and the spiral type (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Compact-Fluorescent-Bulb.jpg) won't fit however the tubular type (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Energiesparlampe_01_retouched.jpg) will.

I think I will buy a new light strip that is incandescent and put some tubular bulbs in (although I'm having a hard time finding them).

BAs has the type in your second link, however the ballast may still be too large for your fixture. I have four of five of the ones in the attached picture. They will definitely fit, they are about the same size and profile as the incandescent tube bulbs that are commonly available, and sold for use in those cheap incandesecent canopies that come in a ten gallon kit. I've never looked for these here, but they're available in every Wal*Mart pet department I've ever been in, in the US. They're made by Lights of America. Printed on the ballast - "2110AQ-N Self-Ballasted Lamp. 120V 60Hz 10W 0.18A (203)". They are 6500K.

I could bring you back some, but I won't be home until the end of March.

[Rémi]

The only ones I found at the dollar store were about 2100k and I was hoping for some around 6500k. I have 1 eclipse right now that I know fits so I'm hoping to buy a few more however every store I have checked only has the spiral type.

I went to Big Al's and they had a couple but they were 15$ and none were 6500k. I'll be going to the states in early April so I'll probably stop off at a Wal-Mart and stock up.

[JetJumper]

Have you checked Lowes / Home Depot?

I am pretty sure I have seen them there.  Or Ikea.  I know I have a lamp at home that runs 6000range of that type.

[Saltcreep]

There are a few places you can get the linear CFLs. I think the problem the OP is having is with the size of the ballast.