Lighting question??

[ty_05_f]

I know not to use house lights for a tank. The question is why can't you use them? Thanks in advance.

 

[joez]

Mostly color, also produce alot of heat.
They really just aren't the right spectrum

 

[ty_05_f]

More dumb questions. So you just can't buy the aquarium bulb for the home light.

 

[joez]

you could, but it is different color than the normal one. The normal house light is much more yellow. That also supposedly promotes algea growth, but I am not sure on that.
I know for corals you need the light to be specific color range for them to thrive.

 

[ty_05_f]

Yeah, I wasn't planning on growing any corals anyway. Any one else have any comment on this

 

[krux]

you can find pc fixtures for home use, and swap out the lamps if you like. i think you can also find ho flourescents and do the same. the big problem comes when you talk about moisture. unless the fixture that you are buying is rated specifically for use in a humid location (it will say this on it) it will VERY quickly rust, corrode, and destruct. the damage can range from your fixtures no longer operating, to your bulbs shattering and spraying glass all over.
there are a couple people i have heard who use normal fixtures and have been lucky thus far, but if you are going to go with the things that you can buy for home use, namely pc and no or ho strips, the price difference really isnt too much from aquarium trade fixtures. personally the possible electrical shock, fire, and destruction of everything in my tank just isnt worth the 30% less that household stuff seems to run.
(BTW I have tried 13 watt desk lamp fixtures, they rusted in less than 2 weeks)
HTH

 

[ty_05_f]

O ok thanks,
I just found a site for diy lighting that looks like a good thing and the lighting is waterproof so i think i might try that.

 

[joez]

link us (or me...lol)