Easy DIY lighting for sump or nano for under $20

Chin_Lee · #1 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

Then go Canadian Tire and buy this clip on reflector (or any regular bulb socket)

Then you get this for lighting on the sump.

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 · #2 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 · #3 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 · #4 11-10-2005, 11:40 PM

I'm using 2 of these over my nano, they work great.

StirCrazy · #5 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 · #6 11-11-2005, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

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?