[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

RE: Question about AHSupply Lighting

Aquatic> Hello!  My name is Laura.  I've been lurking for awhile learning a lot of
Aquatic> great stuff (thanks!), and now I have a question regarding the lights from 
Aquatic> AH Supply.  I have a 75 gallon tank, 48" long, which I've just set up.  I 
Aquatic> want a planted aquarium, and I'm wondering what my best choice for lights 
Aquatic> would be.  I am considering the 4x55 setup that AH Supply offers, would this 
Aquatic> be adequate for my tank?  I was considering the 2x96 setup, but I don't 
Aquatic> think that this is enough light.  Please give me your ideas and suggestions.


Hello Laura,

I purchased the 4x55 kit from "AH Supply" about a
month ago along with their "oak finish hood" for my 55 gallon tank -
(~$295 total including 4 bulbs). My tank is 48" long also. The kit arrived,
well packed, within 3 days, and it took me approx 2-3 hours to put
everything together. For tools, I only needed my little, Dremel, moto
tool, a small drill bit of the exact size mentioned in the instructions
(a small drill would have worked instead of the moto tool, but I love
my moto tool), a screwdriver, and some wire strippers/cutters. I am
completely satisfied with the quality and service of this company. The
items were packed with extreme TLC (tender loving care).  The
instructions for putting everything together were a tad bit ambiguous
for someone who is not used to working with florescent lights in my
opinion, but I was able to piece things together properly by taking my time and
thinking a bit. When I turn the lights on now, it is like BANG! - instant daylight.
You'd be pushing just under 3 Watts per gallon, so you'd have plenty
of light in my opinion. I'm not an expert on light bulbs, but these bulbs
seems to be MUCH MUCH brighter than regular florescent bulbs. In my case,
I am thinking I need to turn off one or two bulbs as I'm having green
water and Algae issues after running things for just two weeks. Oh,
regarding the hood - if you are inclined to purchase that from them:
It is really just a light box and 4x55 fits into it snug with little
left over room. I went to a local glass shop ($13) and had them cut me
a piece of ordinary, 1/4 inch glass that drops right into the plastic,
molded frame of the 55 gal tank. The AH hood simply sits on top of that.
I used some weather stripping from the local hardware store to cushion
the hood from the plate of glass beneath it - ($2) I put a brass, pull
handle on each side of the AH Hood to make it easier to lift the hood off
the tank for maintenance. ($3) There is a gap in the back of the plate
glass about 2 inches long that runs the length of the tank which gives me
access to the water from the back side for PH testing, feeding, and allows
the filter tubes to get into the tank, etc. I really don't think you
can go wrong with the kits from AH Supply.

Emmett Marshall

emmettw at direcpc_com
emmett.marshall at compaq_com