Can regular bulbs be used?

[cichlidcichlid]

If i wanted to use a shop light would i be able to use the regular bulbs or do i need some special plant growing bulbs to make it work?

Also does home depot or lowes carry 2 foot shop lights that have nothing less than 80watts?



cichlidcichlid

 

[TimmyB42386]

I don't have any 2 foot shop lights, I use the four footers instead but

I use the double fluorescent fixtures, with T8 6500k daylight bulbs from GE, and have had pretty good success. Ive found most of the other lights sold, the color of the light is a bit yellow and not pleasing to the eye, especially the Plant and Aquarium bulbs. Stick with daylight bulbs.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

2 foot shop lights will have T12 20w bulbs or T8 16w bulbs.

i have used shop lights to grow plants but it was 4 footers over a big tank.

 

[cichlidcichlid]

what do i do for a 29gal gal though?

 

[Mgamer20o0]

you can try shop lights. you might also think about trying power compact screw in bulbs. a few of them over the tank might be good. there is always 36w from ahsupply.com

 

[greyhoundfan]

2 foot shop lights will have T12 20w bulbs or T8 16w bulbs.

i have used shop lights to grow plants but it was 4 footers over a big tank.

I was thinking about doing this too!! I was at Home Depot and saw that they had a nice shop light fixture 4ft long with chrome polished light reflector. It is designed for T8 bulbs. It will hold two 4ft bulbs.

My planned application is to use this in a bare bottomed tank with different varieties Anubias and narrow leaf java ferns attached to some driftwood. Will this be sufficient lighting for the tank. This set up will be used to house 6 discuses and some dither fish. Tank is 75 gallons 48"L X 18"W X 18"H.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

there are better lighting out there but it can work.