Need lighting for tank

I have the 40 gal breeder tank and want to make it planted along with my fishies.

What would be a good, and most importantly not so expensive, light for it?

I don't know what plants I will put in yet, but I'd like it nice and full.

 

Well, for a 40 breeder tank you could try:

CFLs in clamp fixtures -

Green Element -

Finnex planted Plus -

Current-USA Satellite Plus Pro -

Kessil A360 WE Tuna Sun (Qty 2)-

really depends on how much you are willing to spend. With that in mind, a shop light fixture with CFL bulbs on top of a glass lid does a wonderful job with low light plants. CFL bulbs -

 

If you have a set budget you are working in, no matter how small or large, having that number can help the members here give you more of a focused area to look at.

 

If you have a set budget you are working in, no matter how small or large, having that number can help the members here give you more of a focused area to look at.

Is around $30 acceptable?

 

That is not for me or anybody else to decide.

However, it will restrict you to certain options.

Like dcutl002 gave in one of the options. You can get as little or as much light as you would need by using flood light fixtures with CFL bulbs. This is a very budget friendly option that is also very effective. The only draw back I could see is that it isn't visually appealing to everyone. This would also require a glass top if you want to set the lights on it.

You could also look for something like THESE but at 36" wide, you would likely need 2 of them plus needing a way to mount them. Ebay would be a good place to search for these types of lighting too.

Are you able/have someone to help with diy? If so, having to build or buy a mounting contraption, would open up some of the 'flood light' options.

Hope this helps,

 

Any thoughts on this? Seems a bit cheap...

 

This is what I did....

Walmart clip on lights, 8 bucks per
Home Dept Phillips 6500k CFL light bulbs 4 pack 11 bucks. 2 cans of spray paint 4 bucks. 2 72 inch bookshelf 60 bucks.

We had the lumber and nails.



Sorry for the mess in the picture, I just tossed everything back in. Husband made the shelf between the bookcases and we clipped the lights to that so they were suspended over the tank. We also bought an 8 socket power strip at Home Dept that has 4 sockets on a programmable timer and the other 4 are always on. That coated us 22 bucks. We tossed around just using a wall mounted shelf, but since we are in an apartment, holes in the wall are frowned upon by the complex, so we opted for this solution.

Hope this helps.

 

10,000K is a little high for light temperature. Try to get somewhere between 5,500 to 7,000 K. Most people get around 6500k. In addition, a 40 breeder should be about 36 inches long. That fixture is a little long for your tank.

 

looked at some of the reviews and looks like its fairly low light but usable. if you aren't going after very demanding high light plants like carpet plants you might be ok.

I prefer to go with a more trusted name due to quality control. finnex always has good reviews.

 

This is what I did....

Walmart clip on lights, 8 bucks per
Home Dept Phillips 6500k CFL light bulbs 4 pack 11 bucks. 2 cans of spray paint 4 bucks. 2 72 inch bookshelf 60 bucks.

We had the lumber and nails.



Sorry for the mess in the picture, I just tossed everything back in. Husband made the shelf between the bookcases and we clipped the lights to that so they were suspended over the tank. We also bought an 8 socket power strip at Home Dept that has 4 sockets on a programmable timer and the other 4 are always on. That coated us 22 bucks. We tossed around just using a wall mounted shelf, but since we are in an apartment, holes in the wall are frowned upon by the complex, so we opted for this solution.

Hope this helps.

I actually like the look of those, but the tank just sits on my daughter dresser, so the lights would need to hang off of the ceiling. Way too much work.

looked at some of the reviews and looks like its fairly low light but usable. if you aren't going after very demanding high light plants like carpet plants you might be ok.

I prefer to go with a more trusted name due to quality control. finnex always has good reviews.

Yeah, I do too. Just started looking, so maybe I can find something else

10,000K is a little high for light temperature. Try to get somewhere between 5,500 to 7,000 K. Most people get around 6500k. In addition, a 40 breeder should be about 36 inches long. That fixture is a little long for your tank.

There are a bunch of sizes on ebay.

Or what about this

 

Yeah, the T5 lamps will work. Just change the bulbs about once a year. You'll have about 72 watts for 40 gallons which is not too shabby. Nowadays hobbyists look at PAR values, but I think that light is fine for low light plants.

 

Yeah, the T5 lamps will work. Just change the bulbs about once a year. You'll have about 72 watts for 40 gallons which is not too shabby. Nowadays hobbyists look at PAR values, but I think that light is fine for low light plants.

One more, sorry. I am leaning towards this one.

 

yeah, Beamswork makes decent fixtures for a low price. It will grow plants. It is 6500K, so I would go for it.

 

yeah, Beamswork makes decent fixtures for a low price. It will grow plants. It is 6500K, so I would go for it.

I just ordered it. I can't wait!

 

Cool. You have to post pictures when you place the fixture on your tank: it is a forum rule.

Ok, I made the rule part up, but do post pictures.

 

Cool. You have to post pictures when you place the fixture on your tank: it is a forum rule.

Ok, I made the rule part up, but do post pictures.

Sure will!