I NEED URGENT HELP. HOW TO SET UP SHOPLIGHTS

[dangmatic]

hey guys i just bought a shoplight and bulbs from homedepot.

here are some pics of the shoplight fixture thing
im so lost i have no idea what to do.

heres the bulbs

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o and btw heres my 135 tank (what do u guys think) it really needs light

any help at all would be greatly greatly appreciated
Attached image(s)

 

[Wolf3101]

OK...well to begin with you didn't buy a shoplight but rather a home fixture.
Home fixtures need hardwired in....while shop lights have the cord and in most cases a switch already installed.

Take that unit back along with the bulbs...check the same section for bulbs in a two pack called Daylight Deluxe. The shoplights are farther along the aisle than the home fixtures. Other than installing the bulbs and either hanging the fixture above the tank or setting it on the glass all you should have to do is plug the unit in.

Now if you grab one of the $8.95 twin bulb shop lights (I just installed two of them tonight) The reflector isn't large enough to let you set it on the glass and they also dont come with a switch the way the more expencive ones do. You'll have to either hang them from the celing with the provided chain or do what I did and install them in a wooden hood.

Mine run on timers so its no big deal but a switch is nice to have...your best bet if you want to lay the unit on the glass top is the 30.00 unit with red and crome diamondplate. Your still only talking..45.00 with bulbs for a VERY well built and reliable light.

 

[FishGoneWild]

Buy this guy's light and call it a day. No wiring to deal with and it's brighter than the shop lights. Just my .02 cents. Goodluck with your lighting project.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87620

 

[Wolf3101]

Same wattage...twice the price and half the quality....hmmmmmm.sign me up.

 

[dangmatic]

ok that makes sense. i sitll have soem questions are. some ppl are saything that what i bought is a home light fixture? and not a shoplight?.and the fixture cost 21$ and the bulbs were about 6$ each. is that too expensive. and theres no cord to plug it in anywhere .

 

[Wolf3101]

Yes...thats the differance between a home fixture and a shop light. A home fixture is a PART of a light that needs hardwired in (basicly a lighting KIT) and a shop light is a complete unit (Like a lamp). Shoplights have electrical cords..and in most cases switches...home lighting fixtures dont. Additionally shoplights will be labled as such on the box.

The aquarium lights you see for sale are, for the most part, little more than shop lights, modifyed for a damp environment and installed in a fancy housing.