DIY Lighting for Your Planted Tank: Cheap and Easy!

This has been my most successful method for an alternative cheap light source for a beginner planted tank! Subscribe for more fish tank content, enjoy!

[@michaelwells3635]

I love this video. I'm tired of buying led strip lights that cost over $30.00 and don't even last a year. This is the most helpful aquarium videos I've seen so far this year.

[@SatouKazuma]

Really led strips here costs 2/3 Dollar 100 meters

[@nixequestrian3721]

@@SatouKazuma 3m of RGB & white in my country is $35

[@brieatz]

This was a great solution for me. I have three clip on lights for my 20 gallon and love these bulbs. Thanks again!!!

[@lindaford8513]

AWESOME IDEA! I plant veggies in my garage before getting back into aquascapes and I kept asking myself" Don't they know what a plant grow light can do"??. Even I did not kbow about these bulbs. Thank you so much!

[@TheBossMan5000]

thanks man for the bulb recommendation, my plants love it!

[@VyvienneEaux]

This is my favourite video about aquarium lighting. Thank you!!!

[@Dassick89]

If you're in the US, Harbor Freight has 10k lumen 5000k LED shop lights for $50. SKU is 56780. They are linkable with power cables so you can string a few lights together for multiple tanks on one switch. Also these lamps arent available, and similar ones are now $27...

[@michelleparsons9881]

What a clever and well thought idea and very economical! I'm heading to Home Depot. My plants are dying with LED. I have a Finnex Stingray and it's not cutting it at all. Florescent is the best for overall plant growth

[@therealsolo23]

Been looking for a replacement for tank light. Ive been thru atleast 10 videos already. And thank you, i think i already found what i’m looking for.

[@rebeccaandrews8834]

Im a poor student and this clearly works on well on your tank.... so!!! I have a 10 gallon no fish yet just want to set plants up first and Im going to put one of these clamp lamps with same bulb on it. Thanks to your advice. Especially because tank lights can be so expensive like whaaat. wish me luck.

[@leesahcage3297]

This is a great solution for great lighting especially if you are on a budget. I have a Nicrew Classic Gen 2 on side of my 75 gallon tank and two of those clip on lights on the other side and they are just as bright as the side with Nicrew lighting.

[@MBLaBella]

Thank you! This was so helpful!! I was lost with my lighting situation 😘

[@pershop4950]

i do agree that there are many cheaper but still effective options for plant lights or aquarium plant lights, compared to what is marketed as an aquarium plant light and the hefty price for it. I'm more paranoid about electricity and water contact, even splashing water, so I'd set the lights up a little higher for my tank, which means clipping the lights onto some other object besides the side of the tank, but otherwise, that idea is sound and very effective.

[@joshuakosloski6873]

Finally someone with an appropriate tank size for Bala Sharks!

[@harrisonw5554]

Joshua Kosloski Bala sharks need way bigger tank than this

[@jessblah5514]

I have something similar going on and was worried about lamps and water. Wandering home depot, I found grid fluorescent light covers. Just need to clip to fit in the aquarium. Also, the grid design allows easy clipping, to make openings for cords and clamps.

[@necroeasy593]

I think the light setup looks cool im going to do it myself. Right know i have a long fluorescent light but its not long enough. I never thought about your setup im going with it, thanks it looks nice bright too.

[@carlobernardo77]

Thank you very much for doing this video I just got an idea on the light that I'll be using on my planted tank. Have a good one sir!

[@CheeseBon]

i spent $26aud for one of these bulbs XD ... Worth it.

[@douglaswesley2203]

Hi, Real Nice! 180 in man KAVE 110G Looking too due,my style

[@WorldAquariumSingapore]

Thanks this is super good advice cheers friend

[@user-gq7ld4yz6t]

I do use these type of diy but they produce heat and my concern is when those little waters evaporate they will get into your electrical system and you or my system could get us electrocuted. I believe this is not a long term solution.

[@strawberryyogurt0]

@Anthony Rai ... Can’t use find a plastic sheet that covers the majority to the top of your tank, or use saran wrap.

[@guidryaquatics]

Um.....if you have any standard lid, its not an issue(or even without one come to think of it.) You are not going to get electrocuted. Just use LED lights. They dont produce heat and even the natural evaporation of water will NOT build up enough on the light to cause electrocution. Think about it...outdoor porch and landscape lights, streetlights, signs etc get rained on all the time. No one dies, lol

[@Mikinct]

I know this video is older but have you ever yet teied newer higher output LED single bulbs for this setup?

[@Erdemm]

In my country the energie bills won’t be cheap at all with 6x 23watt lights, but nice vid and tips

[@JacobvsRex]

I like where you’re going. I don’t like that there’s not much keeping those lights from flopping over in the tank when no one’s home. Odds are it throws the breaker, fries a couple fish max, but still, makes me leery

[@candacea749]

How's the lights running now? Do you have an updated video for these?

[@TheRuggedBeast]

Good looking tank buddy. Looking foreword to seeing your channel grow

[@jessicasantoajessy9897]

So glade to see your video

[@HalfManHalfCichlid]

Electrocution risk. Accidents do happen this one will be fatal

[@CescaTheDarkHorse]

Nice video and lovely planted tank. I've subscribed :)

[@AcuariosPlantadosX]

Great video Bro !!!

[@alekkoomanoff7281]

Has the the right approach 6500°K. , high lumens but CF lights have contain mercury. You can find comparable LED lights for DIY nowadays.

[@gilbertocastaneda6375]

This aquarium is very beautiful where I bought that lamp?

[@kle-7248]

on ebay check out led grow lights 300 to 600 watts for around $60 and they cost less to run.

[@calcifiedbonecollector3222]

KLE - yes and they are fucking purple

[@kle-7248]

Yes you're right, but I did see some that were white or white/yellow. however I don't see them anymore for $60. ( f--- purple) lol Now you did say cheap light. keep up the good work and thanks for the reply.

[@Lo2n3ss]

I would properly make a wall mount, for the lights, and put a glass lit on the aquarium, just for safety.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

A beamswork like would do just fine.

[@cheemba7615]

true, this set up costs 74$, not cheaper than a beamswork.

[@everythingkosher5598]

Definitely works I've done it and recommend it

[@HisValor]

Awesome! Question: what about the heat from the light?

[@johnnywhite1681]

Great work! Thank you.

[@kir2847]

23W bulb for fixure that is rated 13W, seems legit, lol. And overall setup looks somewhat dangerous, hopefully you have residual-current device installed.

[@nycjt6267]

or good insurance lol

[@kassieguzman4514]

What about a long term review with the water evaporation

[@Indusxstan]

It was a great idea two years ago. Now LED bulbs are cheaper.

[@k9feces]

Yeah and they are super bright

[@soggyfries4347]

My dwarf sage and jungle val are exploding in my 33 long with two Finnex Stingrays.

[@StephanieQuiroz-ps9nl]

Where I’m at, CFL are better for your plants and cheaper then LED

[@MindCrime550]

fast forward to 2022, do the same thing but with screw-in LEDs

[@Impact_Creativity]

Nice one mate

[@Nonamefriend]

Hi. I just added 2 of these lights to my tank. I only have 3 plants so I thought 4 might be a bit much. It's a 75 gallon tank. Do you think that's enough? It seems super bright and I'm wondering if 4 would be harmful to my fish. Any input you could provide would be appreciated.

[@jeal4311]

Do you have a link for the bulb?, i only see the 100 watts one...thanks.in advance!!

[@iceeteo6756]

do you have any air filtration in your planted tank ?

[@MrLaking123]

hi what fuse have you got them wired upto and are they all wired together or single plugs

[@Megatog615]

I like this style of light but I wish some company would make a waterproof version. Seems too risky to me, even with a glass top.

[@pershop4950]

Just put the light up higher. That means less effective power but for the sake of feeling safer, it could be a good trade-off.

[@fagan316]

I found led 6500k daylight cool white 1550 lumens am I good for up to medium light plants I would use 4 clip on lamps

[@MilosStevanovic1]

No air pump, no water movement or did you turn everything off just for the video?

[@StanTheObserver-lo8rx]

Walmart has LED shoplights for $10. What I dont like about all these cheap lights is the color of the plants and fish are bland. Its why they put red and blue leds into fishlights. So funny that the hobby in 50 years went from bland cheap incandescent lights...to bland LED! Did we not learn anything with GRO LUX bulbs decades? I LIKE COLOR!

[@jordanyang3066]

He never said the $200 dollar lights were bad. This is simply an option for budget minded folks who dont mind not having the best color.

[@elcues]

Since plants need 6500K and 2700K lighting where are you getting the 2700K from.Have you alternated you lamps or what? Should you use a larger fixture with a dual socket for both Kelvin 6700and 27000 rated CFL's under each shroud.

[@trudeaumustgo1920]

Lol plants dont *need* 6500 kelvin

[@jimbeck1053]

How many for a 10 Gallon tank?

[@shonn191]

would an 800 lumens with 2700k bulb work?

[@darksbacon5856]

You could get a beam works light they’re very cheap I just ordered one

[@wesstaff2493]

which beam works light did you get....can you post a link?

[@trudeaumustgo1920]

Could have got 1 sunblaster t5ho fixture and bulb for cheaper than just your 6 bulbs.

[@screemer15]

Have you had any issues with the bulbs being a higher wattage than what the fixture recommends since making/posting this?

[@darrellcollins2909]

The bulbs he is using are rated as equal to 100w bulbs but are actually only 23 watts each

[@screemer15]

Darrell Collins My seemingly identical lamps say 40 watts type A and 13 for CFL as max watt bulbs and notice they are a bit warm. Not like a lot, but enough to notice.

[@Mr.Vhandle]

They dont fall down in the water. 5:45 drags light out of water.. Thats fine.. xD

[@kelsietaylor2799]

How many clip on lights for a 10 gallon planted tank

[@jordanyang3066]

I'd go with 2

[@santamonicahelpassistant418]

Should I also place a light on the side? - Chuan

[@k9feces]

No

[@njnaz13]

Watt for each light?

[@ced8358]

It’s not sleek but it’s not ugly it actually has that industrial/urban look

[@isaiahmalig-on7655]

How is your filtration system

[@lalalajuice]

Link to the lights?

[@fishoutwithjuno]

Do you not have a filter?

[@mattdogg578]

Right side...I believe it's a Fluval canister of some variety.

[@h03sph]

Link?

[@vinnyMancini96]

Looks great but its still to much money bro

[@KnowledgePerformance7]

Have you looked at the price for normal light? Easy to spend $200

[@bennylol4374]

U can make it cheaper, just buy light sockets and flower pots

[@4kframes904]

Good one but the water would be boiling

[@NE_Pigeons]

how many you think I would need for a 20 long?

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

4

[@soggyfries4347]

Just get two Finnex Stingrays. $52 solved.

[@driftindriftwood7301]

Old school.

[@aidanarmas2667]

Is that a 55 gallon tank?

[@oxenbrigg513]

He literally said it in the video

[@bunnybuns6638]

Why silver sharks firstly they like groups secondly they get crazy big and thirdly why would you have them I hope they were rehomed

[@sebastienleblanc5217]

You said you didn't have 200$ to spend on aquarium light but that's pretty much what you ended up paying for this setup right?

[@trevortheclever1733]

No... he tells you all the prices...

[@pershop4950]

$15 x 4 bulbs, $7.50 x 2 bulbs, and $9 x 6 clip lights, so about $129. Saved $71 (though he got the 4-pack on sale for $10 but I'm calculating with the normal price in case others don't get it for $10) However, in reality, the setup could probably be OK with less clip lights (eg, maybe 4 instead of 6). However, with 6, he definitely has a good tank to prove that 6 is really good. But the main idea is, like the video says, the bulb is the important thing. Whatever you find that is cheaper or more expensive or more DIY or less DIY work to mount the lights, is up to you.

[@hamdhoonabdulla4858]

give light information please

[@pepercat17]

What? $9 for 6 lights and each bulb was $10? Sir, you must not have a realistic idea of cheap

[@lindsay833]

Lmao you must be new to the hobby...

[@probablynotabigtoe9407]

Considering you need to replace Florescent bulbs every 10,000 hours or so, due to loss of light intensity. Also accounting for the cost of running these inefficient bulbs a nice LED fixture will end up costing you less money after a year or so. You must be new to this hobby...

[@hanamichisakuragi6233]

i bought my stuff at home depot. much cheaper.bought already made light bulb adapter for 3 dollars i have 4 so like 12 bucks plus tax.... and led lights 5000k 1k lumens a pair for 7 bucks.

[@tomg5405]

Bob Saget thzt mean he have to change only every 3,5 years. And the cost of a led ramp is far more expensive no? I read Also is better for growing than led

[@everythingkosher5598]

-.- you can buy a pack of bulbs for $10

[@franzotto448]

Die 6 Lampen sehen scheiße aus, und jede Woche 2 Liter Wasser nachfüllen ist auch keine gute Lösung. Das Becken aber ist Spitze. The 6 lamps look like shit, and every week 2 liters of water to refill is not a good solution. But the pelvis is great.

[@cameronlarson5485]

Omg. Burn it all!

[@CharlieBrown-zr9wk]

Looks very dangerous clip it to the back over open water

[@sanikam6079]

Hi Bro, I find this set up dangerous, should one of the light falls into the tank and electrocute the fishes. You should try my method. Its safer.

[@pershop4950]

What is your method? It's a bit vague to grasp what your method is, since you didn't describe it.

[@sanikam6079]

@@pershop4950 Hi, to me safety first, those lightings are high powered, should the clamp loose grip, it would fall right into the tank and kill those fishes. Its just an advise. I am not into high powered lightings, just a nomal, cheap led light strip that uses 5V usb. You have a beautiful set up going on. Mine is a 2 feet tank, with diy top of the tank filter, and stuck underneath that filter is my usb lightings, it has been years and the led is still working, you can check my latest video on moving bed filter,

[@SuperWaterAquatics]

You have a really great looking tank, hope to see more videos from you. I subscribed. Stop by my channel and let me know what you think.👍

[@luukmoen6318]

Its not really cheap

[@probablynotabigtoe9407]

Definetly not an ideal setup, The Bulbs have to be Super Close, I would not suggest the CFL. CFL bulbs are not energy or heat efficient for this type of lighting. In this settup they might last you a year, The coil shapes loses about 40% of its light bouncing in on itself. T5 or LED are both modern alternatives, which will long term save you money. If you want a planted tank it is worth spending the extra settup money on a good fixture. You will eventually regret taking this shortcut.

[@screemer15]

Bob Saget said the celebrity...

[@jimherbert4945]

aparantly youve never grown cannabis with CFLs......

[@antoniojaimez3603]

Jim Herbert it's called good shit ;)

[@paulhesse1096]

You sir dont know what you are talking about cfl's works like a bomb i use it all the time with plants pearling non stop.

[@1invag]

Bob Saget from what I've heard on a deep tank like this CFL bulbs are actually superior to the standard tube lighting and led lighting because they give superior depth penetration whereas the other two you mention give massive light to a point and then they fall off fast. Flood lighting would be better than this and both those alternatives you mention but for depth this is better of the three... Or you could spend £800 and buy a kessel, that would be best 😋

[@kevinlivingston9563]

Fish sticks anyone?

[@kp-gbuniqueinterest]

I get the point, this hobby is expensive. I have 15 tanks and It cost a lot. But from the being of this hobby i learned that you know what you cant be cheap in this hobby. You can wait for someone to sell on some site if you want to be cheap, but never go the cheap route when it comes to this hobby. You are asking for trouble down the line. I bought cheap stuff on my 1st tank realized that I shouldn't have. This hobby is like money. If you cant afford it, dont buy it. Its like credit card do you want to get in debt, which in this hobby is buy stuff you shouldn't have. Also Like most people with planted tanks you end up putting fish in it. Fish are no different than a dog or car. They should also get the same treatment you would that you give your dog or cat.

[@PsychoFisho]

No. Use SHO super high ouput CFL lights. Bigger ballast, bigger bulb, knocks out 3000 lumens. They cost around $22 bucks. And you'll need a deeper dome lamp (too big for clamping). Personal Economics 101: NOTHING high quality is cheap. Nothing CHEAP is high quality when it comes to a tech item.

[@maddawgzzzz]

DONT DO THIS. Just delete this video now man,.

[@shonn191]

would an 800 lumens with 2700k bulb work?

[@dennis72355]

It would be good to read a book with but not good for plants

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

No must be 5000k or up.