150 watts over 1.5 gallon tank - DIY Aquarium Projects

russell · 10-23-2006, 02:25 PM

yes you read it right, i am doing 100 watts/gal over my new 1.5 gallon tank. i decided to make a nano for my office, i do physical therapy in a nursing home, and figured that the patients would get a kick out of the tank.

ok i am doing this project with all WALMART stuff, makes it even more fun

ok, first off, i got the new 1.5 gallon cube and thought that it's 9 led lights would be cool, but they sucked, so i decided to DIY the lighting. i chose 2x 20 watt CF lights that equal 75 watts each. i chose CF lighting because it uses less electricity, so there is a lesser chance i will get in trouble for it, and secondly it emits less heat, which could be a problem. anyways:

the tank stock as walmart sells it, has a nice little filter and light:

and the tank with the lights i will install in it:

i will be doing this hopefully tonight, but a week tops so stay posted.

as for the scape, i will be using HC and possibly some petite nana or somthing in the back, with a few rocks. it will be housing a betta, a couple cherry shrimp, and some ramshorn snails.

any questions or comments, please post away!

John N. · 10-23-2006, 03:10 PM

Neat, it'll be interesting to see how you're going to mount the lights above the tank. With such a light fish load, are you planning to remove the internal filter for more room and aesthetics? Also, correct me if I'm wrong i always though 2x20 CF light is just 40 watts over the tank. So in essence your tank is actually about 4.0 wpg.

All in all, looking forward to the upcoming updates.

-John N.

russell · 10-23-2006, 03:17 PM

ya, i guess that's right. i didn't really think about it. it is the equivelant of 2x75 watt house bulbs, but you are correct, it's 40 watts cf.

thanks, i got so excited i made that mistake

russell

russell · 10-23-2006, 03:55 PM

ok, all done but the paint, which i have on hand

epicfish · 10-23-2006, 06:10 PM

2x20 = 40 watts of CF over the tank, minus re-strike and inefficient reflectors will give you about 25-30 watts of light into the tank. 2.5-3.0WPG.

darkfury18 · 10-23-2006, 06:14 PM

it's still a 1.5 gallon tank... not considering how the wpg rule degrades at this size, it's still 15+ wpg

John N. · 10-23-2006, 06:18 PM

Nice looking tank hood you got there! I think you even built a mini stand for it or is that just the base of the aquarium? The adapters to install those CF bulbs are genius! I always thought I would have to break open a lamp to get those things, never knew they sold "adapters" that can plug straight into an extension cord.

Now for the plants and scape!

-John N.

russell · 10-23-2006, 08:57 PM

it's actually a small stand that comes built onto the aquarium, it has a neat little slide out drawer for stashing goodies in.

40 watts / 1.5 gallons is 27watts/gal, which after you consider the size of the tank watts/gal is nothing, i just figured it would be "enough" light. i really detest the size and look of the hood. it is very functional, but not very pleasing to the eye. my wife hates it and calls it a waste of money

anyways, i am thinking of maybe extending a small black pole from the base where the origional light hooked in, and hanging the 2 bulbs horizontal above the tank and have no hood. that way i could make a small light enclosure and still keep the nano look. right now it kinda reminds me of one of those mushrooms off of super mario.

anyways, here is the pic with the lights off, sorry about the poor quality: