flourescent replacement bulb question

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
A

Autophysn

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 18, 2010
57
0
0
Anaheim, CA
Okay, we all know that LFSs are in the bussiness of making $$$$$.
What is the difference of replacing my 48" flourecent light with a actual "aquarium light bulb" and something from Home Depot?

I have seen many DIY's use everything from spot lamps to xmas lights, so what's the real deal?:screwy:
 
Standard bulbs are 'commercial white' like those used in offices and workshops. These really wash out the look of an aquarium and fish. If you want to try a non lfs bulb, shoot for the ones marked 'daylight' or 'plant' use. Walmart also carries bulbs, in the electrical section, marked 'for aquarium use' for alot less than those found in lfs. But, they carry limited sizes.
 
i found 6500k t8 flourescent bulbs at my home depot (marked daylight deluxe) and they really improved the colour of my fish. 8 bucks for 2 which beats the overpriced bulbs at the lfs (20 bucks per bulb)

but never buy the 4100k (cool white) or 3300k (warm white) bulbs they are too yellow and look terrible.


everything at an LFS is overpriced. especialy lights. You think it costs them 2k to make those really expensive saltwater metal halide fixtures? it dosen't ! you can go to a hydroponics store and buy them for about 70 bucks a peice (total of 210 becuase those saltwater fixtures usualy have 3 metal halides in them) that's a tenth of the price


at above post: putting electrical tape on the bulbs is going to fry them (though colouring the plexiglass is a good idea)
 
I'v been look for help in the dept too. IMO, if you have plants, I would makes sure the bulb you get is not lower than 6500k.
 
HOme depot has 48" full spectrum lights for around $7 and the colors of the fish are really enhanced.
 
Zander_The_RBP;3945104; said:
i found 6500k t8 flourescent bulbs at my home depot (marked daylight deluxe) and they really improved the colour of my fish. 8 bucks for 2 which beats the overpriced bulbs at the lfs (20 bucks per bulb)

but never buy the 4100k (cool white) or 3300k (warm white) bulbs they are too yellow and look terrible.


everything at an LFS is overpriced. especialy lights. You think it costs them 2k to make those really expensive saltwater metal halide fixtures? it dosen't ! you can go to a hydroponics store and buy them for about 70 bucks a peice (total of 210 becuase those saltwater fixtures usualy have 3 metal halides in them) that's a tenth of the price





at above post: putting electrical tape on the bulbs is going to fry them (though colouring the plexiglass is a good idea)
Click to expand...





na, they dont get that hot. I never had any trouble.
 
H.D. also has 2 plant lights that I like. I forget the 2 brands, but one is a nice red spectrum if you like that type of "mood". The other one is a brighter, and more blue light. I like to get one of each ;)

The full spectrum they have looks real nice, but I did not choose that one because it isn't a "true" full spectrum with UV and a few other scales missing. I needed some UVB because I had my Macaws in the basement at the time. So, I bummed my buddies hand-me-down lizard lights that were past their peak, and put them in with the 2 plant bulbs...Then I never finished the "jungle" I was going to create, so now they are back upstair where the sunlight will (comeon, please, oh please) hopefully make them mate this spring. (I need the money, who doesn't)

I've gotten the specialty bulbs from drsfostersmith for about 1/3 the LFS price. One time I got a DOA, and they just sent another one, no questions. I have been looking at the MFK vendors now for my future orders... ;)
 
Thank you guys, I had seen somewhere that it was a great idea to cycle your lighting for 12hrs a day, in order to maintain proper balance. Of what I was not sure. but I assumed it was for saltwater or plant stuff. My aquariums in past years, never made a difference, and tho I have been away for some time, not many things have changed. The UV stuff was new to me, but found more info on that, and understand it's purpose now.

The light I have now, that came with it, is a full spectrum aqurium light. I was just curious, because they recommend you replacing this bulb every 6mo's as well. I was like no, when it burns out, I will deal with it then ;)

Again, Thanks for all the info. You guys are great! The people at Fishgeeks are more reserved to answer to newbies, LOL!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom