Quick Question going to store please let me know ASAP

[chrisareston]

Im going to homedepote, and was wondering if I could get a new light from there, like a garage light or something a little better than my 1 bulb 36 watt light. WIll this work? I dont have the $ to get VHO or something like that right now, and was hoping I could by the fixture at the store and use a bubl from the fish store??? Will this be ok or no? I have a LTA that needs more light than 36 watt 50/50 bulb. Please help im leaving soon.

 

[slick]

The lights that you get from the store are not the right kelvin or color temp. You might be able to find the right type of ballast but I'm not exacrly sure on which one you would need.

 

[attml]

The lighting that they sell at Home Depot is not going to get the job done if you want to grow most corals. I tried an expirement a while back using a compact flourescent garage light from Home Depot and it caused huge algae problems because the spectrum was too low. I have heard many reef keepers say that any bulb they have used below 5500K has produced similar results. IMO not worth the $ (even if it is cheap)and the headache! Good Luck!

 

[blondenaso1]

What the thing to do would be get ballasts from Home Depot that are really cheap and can run VHO or NO lights. Look at the ballast and they you say VHO or HO and tell yu how many bulbs they run, the length, and amp. Make sure they are instant start and don't require a starter. Then you just need endcaps and aquarium bulbs and your set. Its a pretty easy DIY light project. Post in the DIY forum and I think they can help you out more.