Best Low To Moderate Light

Hey y'all! So many questions that I've been posting..... So sorry! But anyway; got one more for you guys. Since I'm switching from a 10 gallon to a 20 gallon high, I'm wondering what lift will be better suited? I currently have the finnex stingray (or whatever it's called) and with the inserts it'll stretch fine for the 20... But I'm worried it won't be enough? I do have a budget to stick to, and the plants I currently have are low light to moderate. Any recommendations?

 

If you wanna be super cheap you can clip generic home store lamps to the sides with 6500 CFL bulbs to boost the light. Just swap the bulbs every 6 months.

 

Budget wise, I don't want to be super expensive but I don't want to be real cheap, either. I enjoy the aesthetic of thin lights and ones that are just the bar and can leave the rest of the tank open. If that helps, great! I also don't intend to get the light right away so I can save some cash in the mean time.

 

If you ballpark a figure there's much more knowledgeable people that could help. Also, how well do you solder?

 

Id say $50 range. I know that's not too much but.... College student. Haha! And uh solder?

 

That's what I figured. You can also set up t8 light fixtures from home Depot with decent bulbs for that amount of money. I was asking about solder because if you knew how, it was likely building your own led setup would be easy. I'd go the home Depot route.

Another route is led rope lights wrapped around pvc pipe in a foil tape wrapped rain gutter. Seems absolutely insane I know but I stumbled on a YouTube video and figured a way to improve his design. He was using that setup for ginormous tanks and if I remember correctly it cost him about 50 bucks and it was stupid simple to set up.

 

I see what you mean! DIY wouldn't be terrible, but with the idea of needing it soon while I'm in the midst of packing and going to scuba classes, I'm a bit bogged down. At this point I just want a quick and easy route but I know my budget is on the very low end for lights.

 

The home Depot light rigged to sit over your tank is your best best then. You can get the fixture for cheap, figure out a way to mount or hang it above your tank, and add whatever bulb you want. Should come in under budget and only take 5 to 10 minutes to unpack age and set up.

 

I like the Finnex Planted Plus. That light should work for low/medium light plants for the height of that tank.

 

I should've looked online lol! My local prices for that light are like 80! el337 to the rescue once again!

Perfect light and within your budget!