lowes carrys t5 bulbs half the price

[bigmatt1992]

never knew lowes carrys t5 aqurium bulbs and there 10 times cheaper!!!

 

[raynist]

Hmm, are they the High Output bulbs though? I would imagine the only bulbs they may carry that would work with our lighting spectrum is the 6500k bulb and a 3000k bulb if you are looking for something to highlight your oranges.

What Lowes was this? I haven't seen them, but also never looked. Do you recall what spectrums they sold?

 

[superstein61]

What lowes sells are typically not suitable for reef tanks.

Last time I looked (in the last year) I believe they only had one bulb that really was better suited to freshwater planted tanks

 

[bigmatt1992]

um its the lowes out south hills way by cool springs i think it is golf course they had a section that was labeled marine and terium t5 and t12 vho bulbs i cant rember the spectrum just caught the section and the prices they were in the teens . I was in a rush had to buy a new lawn mower and weed wacker so when i get a chance to run out agin ill let everyone know. I dont think its a comon thing for then to carry them in every store becouse i never seen that befor in any other of there stores.

 

[the2ofus]

I know the 48" are only 28 watt....I have some in my work shop...not sure of the k rating

 

[cloakerpoked]

Might want to check to make sure that the ballasts we use would work with these bulbs too...since if they're being made for a 28w draw instead of 54, that could also cause problems, including the spectrum being wrong.

 

[Dude]

I have always learned that you get what you pay for, why would u save a few dollars for all the time & money you have into something?

 

[bigmatt1992]

i was just throwin it out there.

 

[cloakerpoked]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15070891#post15070891 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dude
I have always learned that you get what you pay for, why would u save a few dollars for all the time & money you have into something?

Not necessarily true. For example, you could buy GE #1 Silicone at Lowes for $5 a tube, or pay twice that for 1/4th as much at the LFS as "Aquarium Safe Silicone". Fact is they're the same thing. Super glue instead of reef safe glue is another example. A lot of things in our hobby are tremendously overpriced, many are just re-branded commercial products, and looking for alternatives is a good idea. That said, if you aren't 100% sure, then it's best to go with the proven stuff, even if it is 3 times as much.

 

[the2ofus]

+1^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[Dude]

Let me rephrase dont cheap out on lighting.... is that better. I do agree u can get things for plumbing any items like silicon at places like them.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15072306#post15072306 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cloakerpoked
Not necessarily true. For example, you could buy GE #1 Silicone at Lowes for $5 a tube, or pay twice that for 1/4th as much at the LFS as "Aquarium Safe Silicone". Fact is they're the same thing. Super glue instead of reef safe glue is another example. A lot of things in our hobby are tremendously overpriced, many are just re-branded commercial products, and looking for alternatives is a good idea. That said, if you aren't 100% sure, then it's best to go with the proven stuff, even if it is 3 times as much.

 

[Reefbox]

Lowes carries the 3000k lighting spectrum that I've seen.

the hydroponics stores have 48" t5 bulbs for $8/ bulb. in the 6500k & 11000k spectrums, which I use these ones.

 

[cloakerpoked]

still won't get the blues, but for the white lights, that seems like a great alternative.