Lighting Question

[TheIrishJedi]

I am looking to be a bit thrifty in these here hard times and I'd like to cut some corners with regard to aquarium lighting. I can get clamp on lamps from the hardware store for $14. The fish store sells reptile lighting for about that price too.

Is there any reason why I should not go with these lights or why they would not work? Using these lights I can get anywhere from 3w per gallon to 9w per gallon for a fraction of the cost of conventional lighting.

I've got a 55g tank. One light for each side.

 

[jpappy789]

What type of lighting is it?

You can always check Home Depot, Lowes, etc. for cheap shop lighting.

 

[customdrum]

to get 3 wpg on a 55g tank youll need around 175 watts, most people use 6500k bulbs or you can use 10,000k and 6500k bulbs just fine.
everyone trys to get cheap lighting including me, i usually build hoods and use spiral compact bulbs since its cheaper than buying a fixture.
if you only want low light you can use shop lights and daylight bulbs in it.

if you did get 3wpg on a 55g you will need ferts an co2 to keep the algae down.