55g Lighting

Can anyone help me please? I'm still running this fixture is it worth it or go with something else? Thanks

How do the plants look? Can you post a picture of your setup?

Shoplight at hardware store. Picked myself up a nice one for 11 bucks, 48". I actually swapped the 55 for a 40b literally 5 minutes ago. If you were near me I would just give it to you but unfortunately your not. But that's what I suggest. I keep crypts, sword, riccia, some floaters, vals, microsword, and even some blyxa. Just make sure u pick up right spectrum of lamps.

Didn't see your link sorry, I'm guilty for not reading all.

Get the t8 stoplight if possible. They have one it has pull cable on side and the reflectors cover all the way over the lamps so you can rest right on top and there is no light spill. Its in a blue box I believe.

Thanks for the replies.

I already have the one that is in the link. It's not good enough?

I have to buy a different fixture?

Should be OK with that fixture. Just use the right lights for plant growth. If you wanted to you could put T-8 bulbs in there without a problem. 3500 is not the one you want. Adjust your fixture higher or lower to get the light you want.

I just tested Lux (converted to PAR) on a fixture similar to the one in the link. My fixture is a VERY old T12 grow light with white painted "reflector" so not sure how different the ballast might be. So I'm hesitant to even post this. Mine would NOT run both T12 & T8's though. But if you want to see what it tested at see this thread: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=189500. I put aluminum foil on it hoping it would help but as you'll see it's not really worth the effort.

Again this was a grow light so the ballast might better than those used in shop lights, so you may get entirely different light.

Also, in that thread you can see the difference T8 vs T12 bulbs make .. in a fixture with good reflector. Again, your results could be different. This is not an exact science. LOL so YMMV.

I'll have to check out and get some plant growth bulbs.

I know I'm making this harder than it is but I can just take T8 bulbs and put them directly into the fixture and they'll be fine I don't have to change anything for them?

GMYukonon24s said:

I'll have to check out and get some plant growth bulbs.

I know I'm making this harder than it is but I can just take T8 bulbs and put them directly into the fixture and they'll be fine I don't have to change anything for them?

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T-8 bulbs go straight into T-12 fixtures. I've got 4 T-12 fixtures with T-8's in them now since I can't find the bulbs in T-12. No troubles at all.

Nice just wanted to make sure I understood what you were saying. thanks