i got $65 to spend on a fuge light?

hi all i have a small amount to spend on a 18" or smaller fuge light for my mangroves, im currently running a CF of 18w 6500k light and would like to upgrade if i can i thought i seen a thread of a 2 bulb 7000k t5 setup for like 30, if anyone has any links for a good deal let me know thanks and k+ for your time.

 

So, is your light one of those PAR spot bulbs? If so, that should be more than good enough for growing mangroves and macro in a fuge. I grow my chaeto, mangroves and other macro with a 13w clip on reflector PC bulb.

If you are dead set on getting t5ho lighting for the fuge, please keep in mind that 18" t5ho bulbs are very limited to find. I know current sells an actinic and a 10k or so bulb, but I don't know if you will have much luck with a 18" 18w t5ho bulb in a 6500k kelvin range.

 

maybe upgrade 18w light to 26w+ CFL flood light, and maybe add a second one.

 

That's it, 26w...

I would so that because I couldn't even find an 18" t5ho fixture anymore.

 

its not so much that i want to upgrade but with the shop style clip on light i can only project it from the back of the stand and if i had a light strip i could put it right under the tank and have a lot more growing room for the mangroves, i wish i could explane it better.

 

Do you have room for 24" t5ho? If so, you can make a retro fit, but it will cost more than 65 dollars unless you get parts of it used.

A workhorse 5 ballast will run around 25-30 dollars, and can run at least 3 24w bulbs as I used one to run 3x39w of t5ho. Reflectors are about 20-25 each, and bulbs are the same 20 a piece, maybe less. Endcaps and standoffs are needed too, along with a power cord but you can get one of those for free from a dead appliance or so.

 

keep in mind that the mangroves will grow just fine with indirect light as long as it has a good 10 to 12 hour light schedule.

 

sweet thanks guys, k+ to all

 

If your just growing some groves like telgar said a PC would be fine. maybe up to a 26W tube. doubt it would come anywhere near 65 bones. i have a 26W clip-on (Epoch Cliplight) in my fuge and the 5 zoa frags in there are popping heads pretty fast.
edit: just read you dont want a clip light... so PC bulb from a pet shop should be good for growth.

 

reefmonkey is working on a sump project, I like the way he did this: