Will A Norm Strip Light Bulb Work Replacing A Power-Glo 48" 40W?

[russboy]

As above really?

Bulbs gone, def not starter. Using a normal bulb from my garage for the sort term until I get a proper replacement (if I need one of course) as we need it working not so much for the fish but our 4 month old little boy as sitting in front of the tank is one of the few things that keeps him quiet!

 

[Biulu]

Actually, this is what I do after the official aquarium light goes out. Just try to get the same K rating (colour of light). A powerglo is 18000 K; are you using it for a saltwater tank? For freshwater tanks you can buy anything between 2500 and 10000 K and these are easily available in the market.

 

[russboy]

Actually, this is what I do after the official aquarium light goes out. Just try to get the same K rating (colour of light). A powerglo is 18000 K; are you using it for a saltwater tank? For freshwater tanks you can buy anything between 2500 and 10000 K and these are easily available in the market.

Its freshwater, cheers i'll try & get the same rating from Wickes or somewhere similar as thats just down the road from me

 

[russboy]

Winner, £4:

http/www.wickes.co.uk/40w-t12-fluorescent-tube-1220mm-4ft/invt/162294/

Better than the £30ish for an exact replacement

 

[KittyKat]

In short, it does not matter whether a bulb is labelled as "for aquarium use" or not. I prefer to use colour 865 by Philips or Osram: quality bulbs last for a long time.

 

[Biulu]

Winner, £4:

http/www.wickes.co.uk/40w-t12-fluorescent-tube-1220mm-4ft/invt/162294/

Better than the £30ish for an exact replacement

Well done! Notice that the colour will be different though, a bit yellowish. Personally I like the more white crisp colour of a 7000.

 

[DrRob]

3500k will be more that a bit yellow. I'd have said very yellow.

For a little more,

http/www.lampspecs.co.uk/Light-Bulbs-Tubes/40-Watt-4-Feet/4-Foot-40-Watt-Daylight-54

Other lighting websites are available.

There are 10% discount codes for these as well.

 

[russboy]

Cool, thanks all.

The temporary bulb I have in there at the mo is quite yellow so will need to find the right one really.

Just gotta find somewhere local to me in Epsom that does them, without paying silly money

 

[Biulu]

6500 - 7000 are also called 'day light' bulbs. Most stores carry this colour nowadays. I am sure that wickes or another DYI has it.

 

[Timmy_Bee]

Sorry to attempt a highjack here, but you all seem knowledgable about lighting...

how easy (read cheap) is it to set up your own light bar? Am thinking about building a 4 ft tank, and i am not sure whether i need to fork out £50+ on "aquatic" lighting, or just get something cheap and make sure its water tight / have a condensation tray etc

 

[Biulu]

If you are a bit handy with electrical wiring, you can buy a retrofit kit for the lights you want (T5 or T8) and put in the fluorescents of your liking. There are several models on the net on how to make your own hood.

I did not bother with a condensation tray (basically because I couldn't get one). In stead I cut a piece of acrylic the same size of the tank and left space for the feeding opening. If you then use endcaps, and put the ballasts on the outside of the hood, you are more than fine.

 

[KittyKat]

how easy (read cheap) is it to set up your own light bar? Am thinking about building a 4 ft tank, and i am not sure whether i need to fork out £50+ on "aquatic" lighting, or just get something cheap and make sure its water tight / have a condensation tray etc

I'm trying it right now, and so far, costs are coming to be in the 12-16 pounds per light (including ballast, light sockets and bulbs, depending on whether I have two bulbs on one ballast or a ballast each) + 9 pounds p&p + wiring sort of area.

In terms of practical terms, standard output T5s with an electronic ballast appear to be the most energy efficient and costs are not really any higher than for any other type of lighting.