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.

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.....

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

In article 1113513528.082561.122180
@l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com, says...

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.....

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

In article 1113513528.082561.122180
@l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com, says...

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.....


I lit a 55 with a mix of a shop light sitting on a glass canopy and
sunlight. It worked fine. I spray painted the shop light black with
Rustoleum to match the tank stand. If you want to grow high light
plants, you will need two lights for a 60 gallon, for a total of four
40W tubes.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html '__
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

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!

"Aaron" wrote in message
a.net...

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.

I use 2 X 36W tubes (1 Plant Spectrum and 1 Philips Aquarelle) in a shop
light fitting on a 4ft tank.

The plants going gangbusters and growing like mad, so yes you can use those
types of fittings ;)

Oz

--
My Aquatic web Blog is at http://members.optusnet.com.au/ivan.smith

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.

"Aaron" wrote in message
a.net...

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.

I built the lights for both of my tanks.

Tank 1 is a 3' 55 gallon. I lit this with a kit from AH Supply. Very nice,
easy to build.

Tank 2 is a 4' 75 gallon. I lit this with 2x 2 light T8 shop lights. I ended
up stripping out the ballast and sockets and building them into my own hood.
I didn't really save much, as the T8 lights are not as cheap. Plus it was a
bit of a PITA to make my own reflector and attach the sockets. But I should
save on bulbs in the long run.

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.

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.

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.

On 16 Apr 2005, the world was enlightened by Glenn's opinion about...

"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.



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

Some retailers like Wal-Mart (Lights of America) and Home Depot (Commercial
Electric) sell shop lights that have electronic ballasts for under $15. Be
sure to check the packaging. The ballasts are not WorkHorse or Icecap
grade but they are electronic. I have 2 of the LoA faux stainless fixtures
over my 55g and they work well.


kev

--
Civilization.

An organized system of alternatives to the stone age - CJCherryh

i have been on a website called plantedtank.com and there was something on ther eabout using shoplights and it said that they were no good as the light is not concentrated enough.

On 17 Apr 2005, the world was enlightened by huytonhead's opinion about...


i have been on a website called plantedtank.com and there was something
on ther eabout using shoplights and it said that they were no good as
the light is not concentrated enough.


Lucky for me my plants have never been to plantedtank.com. ;)

I'm using two Lights of America shoplights with two, T12, 40watt bulbs in
each. Two GE 6500K daylights and two GE Plant & Aquarium wide-spectrums.
My plants are doing very well. Could I have better reflectors? Sure. But
what I have now works well enough.

--
kev

Gravity. It isn't just a good idea. It's the law. - Gerry Mooney, 1977.

Aaron Wrote:
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 !


--
grahamw48