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View Full Version : Easy DIY lighting for sump or nano for under $20


Chin_Lee
11-08-2005, 07:19 AM
For those who are looking to get good lighting for their sump or nano, give this a try.
Pick up this 23 W spiral Daylight CF self-ballasted bulb for $7.99 at Home Depot
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/236DSC00903.JPG

Then go Canadian Tire and buy this clip on reflector (or any regular bulb socket)
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/236DSC00904-med.JPG

Then you get this for lighting on the sump.
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/236DSC00905.JPG
Note the size of my chaeto ball (which grew from a baseball size) in less than a month.

This is a real no-brainer for DIY challenged people. Just find a light socket that will fit into your canopy of your nano, screw in the bulb, plug it in and turn it on.

There is no K rating on the bulb but it looks around 5500. I'm sure the stats are somewhere on Philips website but i'm too lazy to search. Regardless, its very white enough for me.

SeaHorse_Fanatic
11-08-2005, 07:23 AM
Yup, this is what I use over all my fw tanks & I've also used this to grow macro-algae. The bulbs also come in a 2 pack at HomeDepot for $12.99 or so.

Anthony

WWWD
11-08-2005, 07:23 AM
wow they have a 23 watt one now.. nice. yes i called phillips last year to ask them the color, i think they said it was either 5500 or 5900, either way it was enough color. nice find chin.

predator
11-10-2005, 11:40 PM
I'm using 2 of these over my nano, they work great.

StirCrazy
11-11-2005, 02:40 AM
superstore in Victoria has a 6500K daylight one if you want a little more white yet. and it was around 5 bucks

Steve

WWWD
11-11-2005, 03:45 AM
superstore in Victoria has a 6500K daylight one if you want a little more white yet. and it was around 5 bucks

Steve

you remember what brand they were? did the package have the temp listed?