Will Menard's Flourescent lights work for a standerd Fresh water tank or even I plant

[FishSuperStore]

Will Menard's Flourescent lights work for a standerd Fresh water tank or even I planted tank if I change out the bulbs to a Aquarium plant growing light bulb?

Because I find it much cheaper to buy these lights at menard's rather then paying $100+ for an Aquarium brand light fixture.

Thanks Troy.

 

[petluvr]

Yes

 

[bazil323]

Just make sure that you can get bulbs in the right K rating (6500-10000K) and wattage that you want if you are going to grow live plants. Otherwise, if it is just fish, yes, no problem at all.

 

[jpappy789]

:iagree:

 

[kj5kb]

I presume you meant the 4' shop lites? I use shop lites from Home Depot/Lowe's on several tanks.

I'd get daylight (6500K) T8 bulbs...I wouldn't bother spending the extra $$ on "aquarium" bulbs. low-light plants will do fine with those.

For those who don't know...Menards is a DIY chain in the upper midwest...

 

[dundadundun]

menards also i believe has a catalogue.

don't waste money on aquarium bulbs if you go t-8. it's not worth it.

 

[FishSuperStore]

Im looking at going with the 2 40 watt T12 ligts fixture.

 

[dundadundun]

do the t-8s if you can.

 

[bazil323]

I agree, T12s are less efficient than T8s, and T5s are even more efficient though much more expensive to upgrade to. T8s are sort of the standard for now.

 

[kj5kb]

2 T12s (40 Watt) will work; 2 T-8s (32 Watt) gives you the same or more light output with less watts used. T12 and T8 daylight bulbs are both pretty cheap...but some of the inexpensive shop lite fixtures are only spec'd for T12's.

Plan on buying a replacement ballast in a year or two. I've had some cheap shoplites last 3-4 years, others 6 months. Sometimes it's cheaper to buy another $10 light than a replacement ballast...tho a good replacement ballast will last many years (and you can go T8 at that time).