Where to find 48" T8 bulbs?

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BassetsForBrown

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Dec 2, 2012
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Both bulbs on my 90 gallon aquarium finally burned out. I went to two LFS, and both said they only carry LED bulbs in 48". Petco/Petsmart stores near me have T8's, but only in small sizes. The only non-LEDs I've found at that length on Amazon are either fluorescent ceiling bulbs (too weak), or T5. I don't want to spend $100+ on a new lighting system to accommodate LED bulbs if possible. Any Suggestions?

Thanks for your help
 
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tlindsey

tlindsey

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BassetsForBrown said:
Both bulbs on my 90 gallon aquarium finally burned out. I went to two LFS, and both said they only carry LED bulbs in 48". Petco/Petsmart stores near me have T8's, but only in small sizes. The only non-LEDs I've found at that length on Amazon are either fluorescent ceiling bulbs (too weak), or T5. I don't want to spend $100+ on a new lighting system to accommodate LED bulbs if possible. Any Suggestions?

Thanks for your help
Click to expand...
Try Home Depot or Lowes or any other home improvement store.
 
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jjohnwm

jjohnwm

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You can buy LED lamps specifically intended for direct replacement into ballast-equipped fluorescent fixtures. You can also easily bypass the ballast in your light hood and then utilize standard LED lamps. Either method would be cheaper than buying a new hood.

Or...you can go to Home Depot or equivalent store, buy a couple cheap-ass "Daylight" T8 fluorescents and not worry about any loss of light output. If you just want to see your fish, and/or you are satisfied with undemanding, easy "beginner" live plants, this will work. If you have a high-tech planted tank full of exotic, delicate and demanding plants...you are probably hooped and need to spend some $$$.
 
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