axolotl-danio Posted April 12, 2009 Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 I want to get a light for my 2 foot tank. Nothing special does not have to be able to keep plants alive (although that would be good) just make the tank look nice. Currently I am using a 20watt desk lamp that just is not bright enough. What would you recommend (no more than $30 if possible). Thanks :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twinkles Posted April 12, 2009 Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 a desk lamp that fits normal bulbs, with powersave lightbulb 100 or 150w equivilant? I'm doing that at the moment until I can replace the bulb in my hood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
axolotl-danio Posted April 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 Its not a normal lamp fitting (special bulb) but I could upgrade if needed. Is your energy saver bulb giving off enough light? Thanks :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twinkles Posted April 12, 2009 Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 seems to be, the plants are still growing well but they're going sideways cause i've had to point the light in from the side. When I replace the light in the hood next week i'll put the lamp over the glass top fry tank, should work well on there. You can get desk lamps to fit normal bulbs for about $20 from the warehouse usually. Or try tm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyzoo Posted April 12, 2009 Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 If you go to Mastertrade or Cory's they have all sorts of Fluoro fittings (used for garages and stuff) so they might fall into your budget, also have a look at Mega Mitre10 or Supercheap Auto. These aren't going to have your special plant growing bulbs but meet your interim requirements Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
axolotl-danio Posted April 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 Thanks I will probably just pick up a cheap lamp at the local recycling shop and fit it with one of those powersave lightbulbs. :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted April 12, 2009 Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 Mitre 10 do a daylight range of powersaving lamps, the Osram ones are best. Check the end of the box to make sure it says 6500K as the colour temperature. You won't get any thing that you class a 'cheap' from the electrical wholesalers in the two foot range, it is not a common size as far as their purchasing goes, and for the base batten fitting alone you are probably looking at the thick end of seventy dollars trade, that is without lamps, reflector or wiring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
axolotl-danio Posted April 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 Thanks ZEV :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32GOTMLK Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 i got a 4 foot single Fluoro fitting with tube from m10 mega for 33 dollars so thinking the 2 foots would be cheaper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 Size is not everything! Four and five foot fittings used to be the best selling sizes for commercial and industrial fitouts, so all the components were made in bulk at a cheaper rate. A two or the even more rare three foot fitting have different running gear inside, that are subject to the opposite, ie. produce a few at a higher rate, therefore the cost per unit is higher, despite the actual end product being shorter in length! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 And the only difference between a 2 foot and a 4 foot fitting really is a little bit of metal to add the extra 2 foot of length and fractionally larger ballast. They're practically identical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 Why not put a post in the Private Exchange forum? I did, and Spoon sold me his AquaOne 80cm wide single tube lamp with a new bulb for $30 - you can always rely on the kindness of FNZAS'ers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 i got a 4 foot single Fluoro fitting with tube from m10 mega for 33 dollars so thinking the 2 foots would be cheaper Just look at the bulbs 36w T8 cost me $3.99 30W T8 cost me $14.89 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyzoo Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 If you go to Mega Mitre10 site there is a: Ecolife FLUORESCENT LIGHT 18 Watt tube With diffuser. HPF Diffused Batten, T8 Cool White Tube (Included). 12 Month Guarantee $40.98 * Incl GST Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richms Posted April 19, 2009 Report Share Posted April 19, 2009 2 and 4 foot tubes are used in the fittings in drop cielings - every office will have hundreds of one or the other size, or both. 3 foots are used... ummmmm not many places... Simple economies of scale going on. Seems that all the cheap battens in mitre10 etc are still magnetic ballasts - that with an aquarium tube makes for some funny blue/red ripples on the surface of moving water since the 2 phosphors have quite different glow times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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