Upgrading standard tank lighting

I have two standard 15w bulbs in two light hoods on my 55 gal tank. That is just not enough light for plants. I work with a lighting co and have come up with a way to convert these 15w hoods to 55w each. The hoods will still fit the hood frames and look no different from the outside. No light leaking out. That would give me 110 watts of light. I believe it will be a simple procedure. Let me know if you are interested and I will keep you up to date.

 

oooh. That sounds neat. Please keep us posted.

 

I was under the impression that you could not upgrade the wattage over what the hood originally required. Please keep us informed, I would like to know how you will do that. I have a 55 with the standard light/wattage as well and would love to upgrade to a higher wattage myself.

 

Me too.............

I have two standard 15w bulbs in two light hoods on my 55 gal tank. That is just not enough light for plants. I work with a lighting co and have come up with a way to convert these 15w hoods to 55w each. The hoods will still fit the hood frames and look no different from the outside. No light leaking out. That would give me 110 watts of light. I believe it will be a simple procedure. Let me know if you are interested and I will keep you up to date.

I would love to know how to do that.

 

The57man
I have merged your two threads on the same subject to one thread. It is easier for others to reply in one place rather than in two different threads on the same subject.
capekate (moderator)

 

I believe there is a limit in heat transfer the plastic lamp assembly can handle safely.

Upgrading the reflector is one way of dealing with this, but I don't know if to that level of wattage increment it is doable. Some insulating material could be used to protect the plastic assembly. Or maybe small fans to take heat out.

Also check the ballast issue, and I add to the list of those waiting for the outcome of your lighting upgrades.

On the other hand, there are thinner than ever fluorescent lamps available. I recently purchased a 48" lamp assembly with two 36W lamps in it. That means 72W. The light is a bit yellowish but it works well with plants.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

 

I have two standard 15w bulbs in two light hoods on my 55 gal tank. That is just not enough light for plants. I work with a lighting co and have come up with a way to convert these 15w hoods to 55w each. The hoods will still fit the hood frames and look no different from the outside. No light leaking out. That would give me 110 watts of light. I believe it will be a simple procedure. Let me know if you are interested and I will keep you up to date.

right on man, definitely keep us posted, id love to up the lights in my 55g!

 

upgrading tank lighting

I have purchased the ballast and the bulb socket today and the bulb will come in from reno friday. It is a small slender electronic ballast. The bulb is the color required for aquariums. I will probably drill a series of vent holes in either end of the hood to release heat. I will keep you informed.

Upgraded lighting for 55 gal tank

Well I did it. I have included a couple pictures of the hood light and the tank. The cost to do both hood assemblies is less that $100. I now will have 110 watts of light as apposed to 30 watts. The bulb is a GE DL55/AQ/ FS. I was able to use the existing hood reflector. I just gutted it except for the hood switch. It actually was easier than I thought it would be. One picture is the hood which is a pretty clean retrofit. The other is my tank. Can you tell which side has the new light? I will do the other side when the other bulb comes in. I have also added some of my favorite fish.

Once everything is removed from the hood, I mounted the new ballast which is thin and long. I mounted it to the hood with pop rivits to the inside of the black part of the hood. the white reflector goes back in where it was. The ballast is covered. The socket was mounted to the end of the black part with pop rivits also. On the outside of the hood, all you see are 4 finish sides of pop rivits. two for the ballast and two for the tube socket. The opposite end of the tube is just held from moving around with a small ziptie. This whole assembly fits into the rest of the hood frame that is sitting on the tank frame. That's it. Each hood had a switch that I left in place and wired into the circuit. I am leaving the lights on the timer as usual to see how much more heat is developed. I do notice more heat. I have already bought 1 1/2" x 1/1/2" x 3/4" box fans to add to the hoods for cooling. They are 12v component cooling fans. Very small buy move a lot of air. I can hardly wait to see how my plants respond.

 

so basically you used the existing hood that you had, removed the old light fixture stuff and put in the new fixture stuff? That's cool ! how do you attach the new fixtures to the hood?

 

that's really interesting....i'm not very good with this kind of thing but i'm glad you were able to make it work

 

looks awesome! good job, now find a way I can do it for about $20 lol.

 

I Have a lighting issue also but don't know how to do this that you did with you lights. I have two light fixtures on my 100 tank and so far don't see a lot of light I think the bulbs are T8's want to replace them. Can you help?
Thanks,
Riv

 

I Have a lighting issue also but don't know how to do this that you did with you lights. I have two light fixtures on my 100 tank and so far don't see a lot of light I think the bulbs are T8's want to replace them. Can you help?
Thanks,
Riv

What are the watages of the bulbs you have and the length. Are you handy at all? Can you send pictures of the light side of your hood.

 

What are the watages of the bulbs you have and the length. Are you handy at all? Can you send pictures of the light side of your hood.

They are the sun-glo 24" 20 watts. I'm at work but when I get home I send you a pic. I do almost everything myself so yeap. Handy.