The-Influence Posted October 4, 2009 Report Share Posted October 4, 2009 (edited) Ok So Im Looking To Do A DIY Light For My 90 Gallon . I Stopped By Home Depot And Seen A Few But As Im Not A Electrician I Thought Id Run It Past Some Of You That May Have Made Yer Own .... The 2 I Found Was http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/...tk=P_PartNumber And The Other One Was Almost The Same Only It Was A Checker Plate Style And As This Tank Is In My Living Room Appearance Is A Big Deal . But Are These Fixtures Ok Ta Use ? Is There More Too It ? As Well I Seen At One Time Not Sure Where Tho That Someone Used Lead Lights As There Aquarium Lights Now Ta Me I Dont See This As Being A Good Enough Light Source For Plants And So On .. But If I Am Wrong Please Educate Me ...Lol The Main Purpose Of This Tread Is Concerns Suggestions What Has Worked For You Hazards Just Plain Input Edited October 5, 2009 by The-Influence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted October 5, 2009 Report Share Posted October 5, 2009 Those are the easiest and cheapest way to light a tank - I've used shop lights for many years and love how inexpensive they are. If you want to get into more light-dependant plants, you may want to get 2 fixtures (what I had in my last 90 planted), but for now, 1 fixutre will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Influence Posted October 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2009 Yeah Im Sticking Too Low Light Plants And Hardy Plants ...Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Influence Posted October 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 Any Of You Know Anything About This Led Light Stuff ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raglanroad Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 Any Of You Know Anything About This Led Light Stuff ?LED panels are crazy expensive. Maybe try T5 high output with a fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 If you're at all electrically handy, you can build your own LED light bord fairly cheaply. The cheapest place to get a bunch of LED lights is eBay. I've never built one, but I've read of guys building them on different plant and DIY forums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Influence Posted October 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 Well they only carry T8 fixtures at home depot . The amount iv been told about led lighting it's not worth the the time so I think I'm going ta go with the T8 . So what bulb would be best ? Is there a difference in bulbs ? T5-T8 ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 T8 bulbs are probably going to be less expensive - they need to be replaced every year or two. I usually go for the Daylight bulbs, myself. T5s are more expensive, but they're good 'til they burn out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Influence Posted October 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 (edited) T8 bulbs are probably going to be less expensive - they need to be replaced every year or two. I usually go for the Daylight bulbs, myself. T5s are more expensive, but they're good 'til they burn out. Are T8 bulbs sold at LFS ? Or do you know where I can find a T5 fixture ? The plan is ta hang it from my living room roof . Just in case some of you are thinking " God this guy asks alot of questions " it because iv never been concerned with the whole light side of fish keeping Edited October 8, 2009 by The-Influence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 I just get the T8 bulbs from HD - I find they're too expensive at the LFS. However, you can get different colors at the LFS, whereas at HD you'll only get cool, warm, & daylight. T5s are not common, yet - at least not in the 48" size. I think the best place for T5 bulbs would be an hydroponics store. I've bought at All Seasons just off Whyte several times - great service! There's another hydroponics store on Fort Rd just south of the Yellowhead... and I'm sure there are others around. Don't worry about asking so many Q's, I'm sure it's helping others who are (and will be) reading this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdcox76 Posted October 9, 2009 Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 (edited) Give these guys a call I have been meaning to do so as well and have not gotten around to it. I have bought specialty lighting for my work from them before. They won't have the "aquarium" specific bulbs like coralife etc. but I'm pretty sure any and all florescent bulbs made by Philips, GE, etc. they would have or be able to get. I'm sure if you give them the info of T5 or T5HO what length and the spectrum your looking for and they should be able to find something. BRITE-LITE http://www.brite-lite.com/Location.html Calgary North Sales Office #14, 3515 - 27th Street N.E., Calgary, Alberta, T1Y 5E4 Canada PHONE (403) 250-3790 - FAX (403) 291-5397 Calgary South Sales Office #18, 2305 - 52nd Ave. S.E., Calgary, Alberta, T2C 4X7 Canada PHONE (403) 720-6877 - FAX (403) 720-8387 There is a location in Edmonton, and 3 locations in B.C I think. Edited October 9, 2009 by gdcox76 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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