OK guys and gals I need some light bulb help. I'm running two shop lights on my big tank. they are both dual bulb 4' fixtures. And I need a bulb that is comparable to the ones that you would get with a standard aquarium strip light. the bulb that I pulled out of my other 4' strip light is a 32watt aquarium lamp. but it looks like a T6 and I need T8 or T12. So Can I run to the hardware store and pickup Aquarium bulbs?
NEED LIGHT HELP!!!
- Thread starter koop171
- Start date
At the hardware stores around here, the bulbs that they carry as "Aquarium bulbs" usually have kelvin temps around 4800k. You are going to have better coloration in your fish with a higher temp. If you need something now, then buy bulbs that say "Daylight" or "Sunshine" at the hardware store, they are usually at least 6400k. For the price(usually around $6 a piece) you can't beat it. Any higher temp you will find for around $12 a piece.
Also, the "T" refers to how many eigths of an inch in diameter the bulb is. So T12 would be 1-1/4", T8 would be 1", T5 would be 5/8". All of these bulbs have two straight pins on the end of each side. Make sure to put in the same diameter of bulb you take out, so the wattage will match the ballast.
Also, the "T" refers to how many eigths of an inch in diameter the bulb is. So T12 would be 1-1/4", T8 would be 1", T5 would be 5/8". All of these bulbs have two straight pins on the end of each side. Make sure to put in the same diameter of bulb you take out, so the wattage will match the ballast.
And I forgot to say, that the standard hood light for an Aqueon(All-glass) aquarium is 9350k if I remember correctly.
i run the daylight/sunshine ones sometimes ,,, but they just arent as good IME 
they're ok, but noticably duller
they're ok, but noticably duller
I think I might have got what I wanted today it's a T8 daylight bulb. It gives off a better aquarium light. I just need to head out tomorrow morning and get a few more. I just ran out tonight and grabbed up 4 different bulbs and brought them back to see which one I liked best. now I just have to return the ones I don't want and get the ones I do.