T8 Fixture

Hello everybody,

I am looking for a T8 light fixture for fluorescent bulbs to fit a 20 long (24inch-30inch) looking for a fixture that holds one bulb and has the reflector to point light down into the tank. I haven’t been able to find one and I know shop lights are cheaper than aquarium hood lights.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Lithonia Lighting 1242ZG RE 172J2C 4' AllSeason Shop Light, 32W, 120V, Galvanized Gray

This is what I am looking for I just cannot find the 2 foot version. There has to be one out there

 

Are you planning on setting this tank up in 1970?

T8 lamps are practically obsolete. Their successors, the T5 style, are only a wee bit less out of date. The tubes are expensive and don't last nearly as long as LED's, easy to break, a pain to store and handle.

Is there a particular reason you are set on these rather than LED's?

The 48inch version you mentioned is still fairly easy and cheap to buy lamps for, although when you need a ballast (and you will...) they are pricy. Any other size will be harder to find and more expensive.

 

I was recommended to me to get that over an LED light for a planted tank I have going. My tank was over taken by green algae in a few days and I haven’t been able to ge tit back under control.

Not over feeding, not over stocked, not over fertilized.

The fish store staff recommended a T8 as a solution to this.

 

I've never heard of this, but I'm not a big plant enthusiast and can't say for sure. From a practical standpoint it sounds a bit like having a transmission problem with your car and being told that the answer is to buy a horse.

At the very least, assuming that fluorescent light is indeed going to be helpful, find a T5 rather than a T8 fixture. I hope a plant guy weighs in soon, because this sounds like more fish store nonsense masquerading as solid advice. Good luck, and don't buy anything until you get some more opinions.

 

What it will cost you in t8 or t5 lamps in 2 years (they only last 6-8months) will buy you a good plant growing light. Go on eBay and look up vivagrow 24/7. 48” for around $50 shipped. Will last years. Grows plants fine.

 

Hands down LED for planted tanks