Difference between petshop and hardware flourecent tubes

Howzit guys just wanted to know is there any difference between aquarium flourecent tubes and the ones bought at the hardware store besides the high price lol

 

No their is absolutely no difference, just make sure the tubes you buy from your hardware store that they are between 6500k-8000k

You could actually go to thelamphouse they sell most tubes at R45 a tube. They close on Friday for December holidays so better run and get their before Friday afternoon :bigsmile:

thelamphouse | Home

 

I've pretty much always used the normal tubes from hardware stores. Bear in mind, though, that I am by no means an aquatic gardener. All that I've attempted to grow under such lights were some Java ferns, Java moss, Anubias and vallis. I have no idea how other plants would fare.

Regards,

 

The bulbs in all my tanks are the normal tubes and I grow jungles. Osram, Radiums....Plant specific tubes may have an advantage but I don't think the average aquascaper/gardener would notice the difference or care to pay the extra for the apparant advantages...

 

They take that same 8000k bonalux tube add their nice logos over it and sell it for triple triple the price.

 

The lamphouse sells the growlux tubes which are specifically for plants and they go for around R150 each which is still much cheaper then the LFS.

 

This is actually good to know. Any idea on prices for ballasts at Hardware stores

 

Thanks for all the responses gents...thanks barb king atleast now I know where to get it all the locAl hardware stores where I stay don't have a clue about the tubes they selling at the petshop sold me 1 for 150 bucks but it had a tint of green which is not what I wanted because now my tank has a green glow where as it was suppose to be purely white..@Reedfish the lfs are insane it is like daylight robbery and they lie and say that these globes are specially made for Aquarium,that is not cool...@ salmon africa and hawk that's just the thing if I had any plants to grow I wouldn't mind paying for a good light but I have a fish only tank so all I need is a good light tube that reflects their colours well and I don't think that should cost me a whole R150 lol

 

Cool man yeah go get a 8000k tube fish colors pop nicely with it

 

There is a difference, Price.
My local light shop and hardware don't stock what we use, but they are more than happy to order me the lights I need. being high output 39w T5's or aqua grow type T5's.
Just page through the catalogue and tell them I need.

 

You can also try ACDC Dynamics, they have branches in CPT, KZN & JNB.
Their JNB branch is in Germiston (Ph) 011 418 9600/9700
The CPT branch is in Paarden Eiland (Ph) 021 510 0710
The KZN branch is in Pinetown (Ph) 031 700 4215
Please see their catalog (link underneath)
ACDC Dynamics Catalogue

 

Lights from hardware stores usually are less power efficient and are the wrong spectrum. I have also found out they they last shorter before fading.

 

I'm not so sure about that. Most of us use "hardware" tubes and grow amazing tanks with easy-difficult plants. I think "aquarium" tubes are mostly about marketing!