20 Gallon Tank DIY light for planted tank

So the experiment of the planted tank using garden soil is going great. I have put some plants again in the tank along with some Red Cherry Shrimp, Neon Tetras, and Some White Clouds. All behaving well and eating good. The light that I put for the plants was a temporary fluorescent with a 36" bulb so yesterday I had some time off after class to do a little wiring and do a fixture for the tank. Attach are pictures of before and after. The before shows a fixture with a T12 bulb with normal starter and changed to 2 CFL's Daylight bulbs that will make the plants grow super fast. I tested on my 10 gal planted and they grow and spread like wild fire. Going to paint the inside of the fixture in white later. The fixture I used is around 25" long so I'm making a Lexan top with a hinge for the tank to ensure no jumpers get out of the tank.

 

Looks cool! Can't wait to see the plant growth!

 

I have one of those similar. But I bought mine at the pet store for $8 dollars and replaced the bulbs with 2 cfl 14 watt 5000K light bulbs. Plants seem to grow fine but I think I need co2 because I get random algae breakouts.

 

I have one of those similar. But I bought mine at the pet store for $8 dollars and replaced the bulbs with 2 cfl 14 watt 5000K light bulbs. Plants seem to grow fine but I think I need co2 because I get random algae breakouts.

Yeah if you have lots of light you will need co2 in the long run.

 

Also recently since my plants grew alot. I have been having problems in keeping ph stabile during water changes.