[pinkkiwi1230]

I went to walmart tonight and saw a 4 foot shop light and 2 bulbs under $20. I went ahead and bought it. I was thinking of hanging it over my 38 gallon planted tank. Do yall think it's string enough to grow plants?

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[OVT]

It can grow plants.

 

[burr740]

Yep

 

[thedood]

That is the exact combo I am using. I have it on a 75Gand I dont think it is quite enough for it but should work well on your 38.

 

[pinkkiwi1230]

Thanks guys. I just want to double check before I spent all this time hanging it.

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[jeffkrol]

An FYI.. Never known those cheap shop lights to last more than a year or so..

 

[Kobey]

Light spill
Moisture issues

Other than that I've seen quite a few people use them for a while at least.

 

[MCSLABS]

Should grow plants

 

[kinzo]

Buy this and it pays for itself (energy saving/bulb replacement) and has the correct light spectrum:

 

[GrampsGrunge]

I've used our local hardware store's 48" shop lights with Spectralite's "Long Service High CRI 5000K" lamps for my tanks. If these WalMart ones are more intense and similar in phosphors, they should do fine.

I'm continually impressed with the quality of non aquarium use lamps nowadays.

 

[Fishnshrimp2]

I got the black finish t8 from walmart and its grown plants for me for 2 years now. Had to replace the bulbs this year but the fixture is still working, I have it on a 55 gal.

 

[GrampsGrunge]

Thanks guys. I just want to double check before I spent all this time hanging it.

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You could improve the efficiency of those tubes with a 4' piece of 1-1/2" white schedule 40 PVC cut in halves to provide some reflector parabolic behind the tubes. Leave them unpainted as white apparently works as well as polished aluminum. May need to trim or notch the DIY reflectors to fit in between the lamp receptacles.

 

[pinkkiwi1230]

Not really sure I wanna go hacking on it lol. I'm just trying to think of something easy and simple for people like me. Don't have alot of tools or the knowledge of constructing stuff.

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[GrampsGrunge]

If that's the case, you sure you should be 'hanging' the light above your tank? Electricity and water, not a good match.

 

[pinkkiwi1230]

I know how to hang a light.

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[pinkkiwi1230]

I was just planning to do something simple

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[japbart]

That's what I wanna do to my lights right now. I already have the brackets. Where can I get the chain?


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[pinkkiwi1230]

The chains came with the light I bought. But if you have a lowes, or any hardware store, they should have chains.

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[japbart]

Nice. I like that idea. I'll stop by a Home Depot later


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[goodbytes]

I'd suggest using glass tops on your aquarium with that light to increase its longevity. Its not really a fixture that was meant to be in a moist environment so you could reduce the evaporative moisture that makes it to the electronics by covering the tank. I believe the 38s have a flat brace, unlike the raised type like on a 55, so you can just use a 36" Versa Top for that tank.