Ordinary Fluorescent Lighting

[SpongeDan]

Hello,

I've posted a message in the hardware forum, but I thought I'd post a link to it here, as well, since it's to do with plants.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=252304

Basically, I'd like to know if it's okay to use a normal (non-aquarium) wall-mounted fluorescent light batten to light my tank: Will it aid plant growth? And if not, can I fix a proper plant-growing aquarium bulb into it?

 

[raptorrex]

Hello,

I've posted a message in the hardware forum, but I thought I'd post a link to it here, as well, since it's to do with plants.

[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/content/Plants-and-Planted-Tanks/252304/http-www-fishforums-net-index-php-showtopic-252304/"]http/www.fishforums.net/content/Plants-a...owtopic-252304/[/URL]

Basically, I'd like to know if it's okay to use a normal (non-aquarium) wall-mounted fluorescent light batten to light my tank: Will it aid plant growth? And if not, can I fix a proper plant-growing aquarium bulb into it?

i would say NO. they are not water proofed, they are made of, in most cases, ferrous metal, so any damp will cause rust and, very probably pollute your tank. that's if you don't electrocute yourself, or someone else first.

 

[aaronnorth]

plants prefer a colour spectrum of red, green and a bit of blue. Choose the kelvin that suits your eye best.

 

[raptorrex]

all, except those that are waterproofed, home fluorescent light fittings, expressly state that they should not be fitted in anywhere damp. they don't make these warnings for fun. use proper Aquarium safe lighting. no if's no but's nor maybes!

 

[SpongeDan]

But it's a coldwater tank so there isn't much water vapour involved. Any water just accumulates on the clear plexiglass cover. The tank is pretty much sealed when the cover is on (there are obviously gaps for the oxygen tubing and filter cord). Also, the cover would prevent the light falling into the water.

I'm really just concerned about whether or not a normal white fluorescent tube would grow plants, and - if not - whether an aquarium light tube could be fitted into the wall-mounted batten. I don't know if the connections, voltage, etc are compatible.