Need DIY Light from HomeDepot

[PringlesLFE]

My dad got a $100 gift card as a birthday present for Home Depot. He said I can use it for now if I want because he's too busy to go.

Would I be able to whip up some kind of DIY light either HQI or not solely on HD equipment? Thanks

 

[PRC]

A light for what? Keeping corals? No. They're different light types.

 

[ccCapt]

I doubt you would find any true HQI setups at HD, but you should be able to find a 175w metal halide fixture. They normally come with magnetic ballasts which will fire almost any single ended MH bulb.

Here's a fixture that will work once you replaced the bulb with an aquarium rated bulb in the right color spectrum.
Outdoor Security Bronze 175 Watt Metal Halide Cutoff Wall Light Unit - WC175ML at The Home Depot

 

[sen5241b]

The MH bulbs at Home Depot do NOT have the spectrum you need for corals.

 

[dcantucson]

They have plenty of stuff there other than lighting equipment. ;)

 

[Ulta]

Thanks Ccapt, for the info on MH fixture.

hmm, I remember researching this a little bit. I think I remember that they also might have had T5/T12 fixtures, all I know is that it was inadequate for me needing 48" and could only be 12" wide, and price wise wasn't saving me much money. Also I'm sure any bulbs that came with it would be inadequate, but I do remember them selling separately a selection of aquarium/grow bulbs.

Definitely look into it b4 spending any money on them tho... you might be able to find something adequate for a 10g :dunno:

Edit: PS, don't rely on the guys who work there to be any help. They don't have any idea of your needs.

 

[bjohanson1234]

That is because the t5/t12 fixtures are normal output fixtures and not HO or VHO.

 

[PringlesLFE]

lol ok thanks everyone. guess I just got a little overexcited for an easy way to getting a light lol.

 

[Ulta]

Referenced from:
The Reef System Wattage Rule of Thumb Formula

Theoretically 2x24" t-12 would put you at the min 4 watts per gallon.
But, GL getting a 24" fixture for your 10g from home depot =P

 

[Bifferwine]

They do have regular T5 lights at Home Depot, as others have said. That's what I used to grow my phytoplankton cultures.