home depot dual t5 fixtures

[chafed]

I saw them today for only $35, and I am considering using them as lighting over my low light 55 gallon tank. They would fit into the hood perfectly. I found correct spectrum and length bulbs for sale online, but am confused about one thing. My friend mentioned that there is a difference between t5's and HO t5's. If the fixture at home depot is not high output, could I still use high output bulbs in it? And if so, what would be the drawbacks?


Thanks.

[WyldFya]

T5 is going to be normal output, HO T5 are high output. The HO do not fire in normal fixtures. With these kinds of lights you also want to look at good reflectors, ie metal.

[Jag1980]

I got one of those home depot lights for my 75g a few years ago and it broke 1 week after I bought it.
I took it apart and couldn't see anything wrong with it, just will not work.
I even tried putting in 4 different bulbs, same ****..
I think that there could be to much humidity over the tank?
I still got the light strip, not into throwing thing away that are brand new, even if they don't work :)

[WyldFya]

I got one of those home depot lights for my 75g a few years ago and it broke 1 week after I bought it.
I took it apart and couldn't see anything wrong with it, just will not work.
I even tried putting in 4 different bulbs, same ****..
I think that there could be to much humidity over the tank?
I still got the light strip, not into throwing thing away that are brand new, even if they don't work :)
If they're not sealed for humidity, they will die very quickly.

[Rawimpact]

I got one of those home depot lights for my 75g a few years ago and it broke 1 week after I bought it.
I took it apart and couldn't see anything wrong with it, just will not work.
I even tried putting in 4 different bulbs, same ****..
I think that there could be to much humidity over the tank?
I still got the light strip, not into throwing thing away that are brand new, even if they don't work :)

You bought it from homedepot... why not return them with their 30 day warranty?

[Jag1980]

You bought it from homedepot... why not return them with their 30 day warranty?

I already threw away the box and think I might have thrown away the receipt also... I still have it if anyone knows a possible fix? I seen nothing visual when I took it apart and looked at it :irked:

[Knowdafish]

If they're not sealed for humidity, they will die very quickly.

Dielectric grease works wonders! :D

[WyldFya]

Dielectric grease works wonders! :D
This is true, but not worth it IMO for NO T5s.

[Mudfrog]

Really? I was getting ready to build a canopy and use some light fixtures from lowes. Even if the back of the canopy is open and I have glass over the tank do you think they will fail? I need a very low dollar light for my 120 gallon.

[gomezladdams]

The 2 in my fishroom are still working.I bougt 2 more to replace my t8 fixtures with.Lower electric usage and they take up less space makes it worthwhile to switch for me.

[WyldFya]

Really? I was getting ready to build a canopy and use some light fixtures from lowes. Even if the back of the canopy is open and I have glass over the tank do you think they will fail? I need a very low dollar light for my 120 gallon.
If you have a barrier between the light and the water, they will survive, but the plants will suffer. Glass both reflects light, and blocks UV rays.

[Mudfrog]

My tank will be very very lightly planted, basically like the bulbs you buy at walmart :D