Shop Lighting in Fish Tank?

[GT3050]

I am setting up a new 75 gallon tank soon and was wondering if I can use standard fluorescent tubes which are used for shop lighting, or if I have to buy the expensive fish light sold at my LFS. I asked someone at the LFS about it and they said that stardard fluorescent tubes with cause algae to grow in the tank. Is this true? The reason that i am asking is that I can get normal fluorescent stips, like the ones for lighting rooms, for about 5% of the price of the fish lights. Thanks a bunch!

[slipknottin]

Sure can, I use a 2x40 watt strip light over my 55. You can seperatly buy aquarium bulbs if you wish, but there are a few bulbs sold at home depot that would work fine that are only a couple bucks.

[GT3050]

What kind of bulbs do you use from home depot?

[slipknottin]

See if you can find either the Philips Daylight Delux or GE Chroma50 bulbs.

[Slappy*McFish]

Philips also makes Philips "Natural Color" bulb...very similar to the GE chroma50...it has a 5000k color temp as well, and a CRI of 92. I use both the "Natural Color" and the "Daylight Deluxe" on my 55 planted tank.