Where to buy lights

[Brad CNC 76]

I'm in the process of doing research for a 75 gallon tank that I'll be setting up in the near future. Could anyone give me some links to good places to buy my lights? I'm just begining to start researching and I'm just trying to find the supply lines right now. Once I get into figuring out the specifics, I'll probably be bugging the heck out of you guys. But for now all I need is some sources and any help would be great!! Thanks guys!!

[ianjoe]

Aquarium Hobbyist Supply www.ahsupply.com (http://www.ahsupply.com)

[Pink Pat]

Brad,

You can check here (http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productList&catalogId=B040815), here (http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=Products_2%2fLighting+%26+Fans&BV_SessionID=@@@@1640506773.1063283429@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdjadcjgfjmggjcgelceffdfgidgnj.0&MID=9876&DRC=4&pos=n13) or here (http://www.lightsofamerica.com/).

HTH

PP

[punch]

Another vote for AH Supply, good prices, just what you need, build them into your own canopy, easy to follow directions for wireing. I did it myself!

[29gallonsteve]

If you are doing a DIY, there are some creative (and inexpensive) options with the screw-in Compact fluorescents...

http://www.1000bulbs.com/shopping/shopdisplaysubcat.asp?id=24&cat=07%2E++Fluorescent+Screw%2DIn

Thanks,
Steve

[superjohnny]

www.hellolights.com and bigalsonline.com also have lights.

[Robert H]

AH supply is good if you want to build your own system. If you want a ready made system, there are some good ones out there. JBJ Lighting offers one of the best for the money. If you compare it to Coralife, Hamilton lighting, and others, they have them beat hands down.

You can get a 48" fixture with four 65 watt 6500 kelvin power compact bulbs, with THREE built in silent fans, two independent power cords that can be hooked up to timers, an acryllic lens cover, high grade reflector covering the ENTIRE fixture and its made of light weight aluminum alloy which is very light weight and retards heat. It has optional pivotal legs that raise the fixture about three inches above the tank and the whole fixture can tilt up 90 degrees to allow access to the tank.

Looks like this


http://www.aquabotanic.com/abstore/media/48formosa.jpg

http://www.aquabotanic.com/abstore/media/48formosaflipup.jpg

It's a real streamline fixture, this picture is of it on a 55 gallon tank. We all know how narrow from front to back a 55 is. This fixture with 4 bulbs, still has enough room to leave a 2 or 3" space both behind the fixture and in front of it. No problem still fitting hang on filters, heaters, or as much equipment as you want!

You can get it for around $290. At least thats what I sell it for.

[GulfCstAquarian]

Those JBJ fixtures look really sweet. If you aren't adept at woodworking and do-it-yourselfing, then I'd go for something like that. If you like DIY, then AHSupply.
If you're just a cheapskate like me, then I'd follow Pink Pat's advice and simply pick up a pair of twin trip four foot shop light fixtures for ten bucks a piece and fit them with Gro-Lux bulbs (also available at Home Depot, Lowes, etc. for $5 a piece). With 2.1 watts/gallon, you'll be able to get a great start with a good variety of plants without breaking the bank. After you've got some experience under your belt, and have a CO2 system in place along with a good knowledge of fertilizers, you could step up the lighting without having wasted anything more than $30 on a few shop lights you can now use in your garage!

[Brad CNC 76]

Thanks a lot everyone for the great info!!

That JBJ setup is awesome. I was thinking about building a canopy to house the lights though, so the retrofit kit may be what I'm looking for. But then again I really like that complete setup!! I'm glad I have plenty of time to decide. It's going to be a slow process building this tank because I'm doing it peice by peice. I'm probably getting the stand this weekend, then it may be a couple weeks before I get the tank, then filters, lights, etc...

[anonapersona]

Hey, I like the "Plant Engineer" description!

[NJ Devils Fan]

I bought two strip lights from home depot. one was $13 and I believe the other was $6. Thats 160watts over a 72g bow tank. There are 2 5000k bulbs and 2 6500k bulbs. I use DiY CO2 and diffuser and everything seems fine, I just have to make sure I am on schedule with my ferts or I get black algae which makes the plants look ugly, not that my plants could ever look ugly.;)