Hardware store strip light theory?

[nanoambiance]

At the LFS, a fellow customer told me he did this lighting setup. He said you could go to a hardware store, and buy a 48 " double flourescent strip light that fits 40 watt bulbs for 25 bucks instead of buying the all glass/perfecto twin tube light hoods that around north of 70 bucks. Heres an attached picture. Obviously, I have glass tops to separate the light from the water, and if I constructed some ends that raise up the light, wouldn't this be a good idea for powerglo and marineglo bulbs (to just show off the fish better, no corals here). Or is this not a good idea.

 

[robbob29]

Exactly what I did for my Freshwater tank. Bought a Lowes shop light and used a peice of white plastic gutter to make a reflector for it. Great amount of light, and looks pretty good too.
Robbob

 

[nanoambiance]

Thanks Rob. How did you elevate the light, or did you just rest it on the tank top? Just curious. I think I'll do that, get a 25 buck strip light, that fits t-12s, and then a t12 actinic blue bulb, and a t-12 daylight, all for 60 bucks, and a simple twin stip all glass light is around 79 bucks, no bulbs. Thanks for input.

 

[wablondie98664]

yea i would like to hear about that too, im thinking about trying this, i need a new lighting system, mine isnt very good, 1 bulb only and somewhat old it seems ( got it with the tank, stand, fliter system, tons of extras for $200, so not bad).

 

[rubberburnerme]

hey every one dont tell but the quicktronic ballast at lowes will run 4-40 watt floresents or a 96 watt power compact they run $19.99 as long as the the ballas is electronic you can do this.
{ on the package it sayes only 2 lamps for industral rating a electriction said thats a 30% rating not shure what he ment by that but they run 4 lamps in the new offices all the time with them }

 

[wablondie98664]

ok so if i do this (dont know much about lighting for the tank) what types of lights should i get? right now i have a single bulb hood light....not very good. at some point we might make our tank a reef tank, so what type of lights would work for both types. TIA

 

[escape2thewater]

I did the same thing for my 120 FOWLR only with 6 bulbs! I used 2 actinic's, 2 10,000k's & 2 5,000k's. (going to change out 5,000k's soon) Works great and has 240 watts. I hung it from the ceiling w/chain from lowes too. heres how mine came out..
Kyle

 

[escape2thewater]

oops forgot to attach pic....
Kyle

 

[escape2thewater]

and one from underneath.....HTH!
Kyle

 

[escape2thewater]

Actually I built this about 2 weeks ago and at the time my local lowes here in FL had these fixtures on sale for $8.58. Thats right 8 dollars and 58 cents, and they are for 40watt t12 bulbs.
I know that they are not good quality but I figure if one takes a crap on me ill just throw it out and buy a new one. Whole thing cost me about 75 bucks.
Kyle

 

[nm reef]

I run the same type fixtures over my refugium system...they are cheap and work very well for that application. I'd see no reason the same type fixtures wouldn't work well for a fish only system....but for corals you'd be better off to look at higher intensity lighting sources.

nmreef@cox.net

 

[beaslbob]

Originally posted by escape2thewater
Actually I built this about 2 weeks ago and at the time my local lowes here in FL had these fixtures on sale for $8.58. Thats right 8 dollars and 58 cents, and they are for 40watt t12 bulbs.
I know that they are not good quality but I figure if one takes a crap on me ill just throw it out and buy a new one. Whole thing cost me about 75 bucks.
Kyle
Agreed. and you can strip out the electrical and do a dyi hood. That's my plan if I ever get around to it. Home depot here in alabama also had a sale on 40 watt 3200 lumen daylight tubes. 2 for $.80. That eighty cents for two tubes.