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Lighting my new tank with shop lights.



 
 
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  #1  
Old April 14th 05, 09:51 PM
Aaron
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Default Lighting my new tank with shop lights.


Since I got a larger tank for my anubias plant. I was
wondering about the shop light. I looked on google and some
people use them, is that good enough? I plan on getting other
plants, even high light requiring ones.

I was at the hardware store earlier and the lights don't cost
too much, but I can't find the sunshine bulb that was
mentioned.

Thanks for the info.
  #2  
Old April 14th 05, 10:18 PM
Nick Wise
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Aaron wrote:
Since I got a larger tank for my anubias plant. I was
wondering about the shop light. I looked on google and some
people use them, is that good enough? I plan on getting other
plants, even high light requiring ones.

I was at the hardware store earlier and the lights don't cost
too much, but I can't find the sunshine bulb that was
mentioned.

Thanks for the info.


What size tank? What kind of shop lights? Do they have one or two
bulbs, how long are they, etc.....

  #5  
Old April 15th 05, 08:36 PM
Nick Wise
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Actually, shop lights come in 1,2,3,4 and 8 foot lengths. I suggest
you buy 2 or three double bulb shop lights. That should work out fine.

  #6  
Old April 16th 05, 02:09 AM
Cichlidiot
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Aaron wrote:

60gallon, the tank is 4 feet long which is the size of shop
lights.


You'll need to know a couple things. First see what diameter (T12, T8,
etc) bulbs your shop light fixture uses. This should be in the
docmentation for the fixture or you can ask the store where you bought it.
Also see if it uses a magnetic or electronic ballast. This will determine
what kind of bulbs you can buy.
  #7  
Old April 16th 05, 02:23 AM
Aaron
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I want the cheap ones that people hang in the shop and buy the
standard size, I saw some for $15 that will fit 2 bulbs. I
don't know what T size that is. But I saw in the store a plant
bulb with pictures of plants that looks standard size.

Thanks for the info.

In article ,
lid says...
Aaron wrote:

60gallon, the tank is 4 feet long which is the size of shop
lights.


You'll need to know a couple things. First see what diameter (T12, T8,
etc) bulbs your shop light fixture uses. This should be in the
docmentation for the fixture or you can ask the store where you bought it.
Also see if it uses a magnetic or electronic ballast. This will determine
what kind of bulbs you can buy.

  #8  
Old April 16th 05, 08:05 AM
Glenn
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There is no difference in a fixture or the ballast for any T12 or T8 NO
bulbs. Shop light fixtures will take either one just fine, and the ballast
will start either one just fine.
Shop lights are cheap, and that is due mainly to the fact that they use
magnetic ballasts and cheap looking fixtures. If you don't mind the way
they look, then go for it.
If you decide that you want electronic ballasts, which have instant start,
can run the bulbs using less electricity, make the bulbs last longer, and
burn brighter in many cases--you can upgrade the ballasts. You may even
want to consider upgrading the whole fixture to improve looks.
"Aaron" wrote in message
.net...

I want the cheap ones that people hang in the shop and buy the
standard size, I saw some for $15 that will fit 2 bulbs. I
don't know what T size that is. But I saw in the store a plant
bulb with pictures of plants that looks standard size.

Thanks for the info.

In article ,
lid says...
Aaron wrote:

60gallon, the tank is 4 feet long which is the size of shop
lights.


You'll need to know a couple things. First see what diameter (T12, T8,
etc) bulbs your shop light fixture uses. This should be in the
docmentation for the fixture or you can ask the store where you bought
it.
Also see if it uses a magnetic or electronic ballast. This will determine
what kind of bulbs you can buy.



  #9  
Old April 18th 05, 10:55 PM
grahamw48 grahamw48 is offline
Junior Member
 
First recorded activity by FishkeepingBanter: Dec 2004
Location: Near Stockton on Tees, U.K.
Posts: 2
Exclamation

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaron
I want the cheap ones that people hang in the shop and buy the
standard size, I saw some for $15 that will fit 2 bulbs. I
don't know what T size that is. But I saw in the store a plant
bulb with pictures of plants that looks standard size.

Thanks for the info.

In article ,
lid says...
Aaron
wrote:

60gallon, the tank is 4 feet long which is the size of shop
lights.


You'll need to know a couple things. First see what diameter (T12, T8,
etc) bulbs your shop light fixture uses. This should be in the
docmentation for the fixture or you can ask the store where you bought it.
Also see if it uses a magnetic or electronic ballast. This will determine
what kind of bulbs you can buy.

Surely there is a safety issue here ?
Proper aquarium lighting is designed to be used in a 'wet' environment.

The units are double-insulated, and provided with waterproof end caps.

Wouldn't want you or your fish to be electrocuted !
  #10  
Old April 15th 05, 01:34 AM
external usenet poster
 
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Default

I grow java fern in my big tank with a shop light. 48", 2 bulbs, 1 bulb
25 watt, the other a 40 watter. Am trying some anubias and crypts as
well now. Later!

 




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