Lights again...

[Firefly]

So lights are expensive. Two ballasts with decent Flora-glo (gro- whatever) costs around R400 here
I already have 1 ballast and a Sun-Glo and I'm prepared to buy another ballast and get a cheap Osram 40W light from Builders.

Will two 40W be enough? Can I use some small halogen lights or will these create algae?

Thanks
Firefly

[f-fish]

36watt ballast should cost about R130 - Philips 865 T8 +- R50 but that aside - how big is the tank and what are you trying to grow?

[Firefly]

Vallis, some amazons, the odd other. Nothing very light hungry.

[f-fish]

Assuming this is standard 4 ft and you are not pushing high CO2 - adding a 6500k lamp should be fine.

Keep an eye on algae growth - could be an indicator that the extra light and other tank factors are not in balance.

BTW - before you add a second tube - consider adding a clip-on reflector ... I swear by these - might be just as expensive as a light and ballast but make the world of difference without extra electricity. I've been playing with some dennerle power reflector but any should do the trick - local stockist should have something in the right length - if you do get be sure to get the ones that have both the T5 and T8 clips.

Later Ferdie

[Firefly]

It is a standard 4ft I think (240Litres). I don't have a lid for the tank so I am using guttering as the light holder. Works kinda like a reflector. Current tube is 4200K I believe. Lights up the tank nicely but not completely. Will get another ballast soon and an Osram tube.
Thanks for all the help