Just another fish tank question from me. I have a large 110gallon tank and I currently have a simple 5ft long fluorescent light with a normal everyday power supply for the tank. The light that is given off from the current bulb that is in there isn't exactly great tank lighting. Are there any other bulb types that they sell at a place such as home depot that would give better lighting? I've seen the one's at pet stores, but I just find it hard to fork over 45$+ for one bulb.

 

If you realy want to up the quality of lighting on the tank go to your local lowes/home depot and get a shop/garage fixture double bulb style in the length you need you can then take the old single style out of your hood and put the ballast and end caps for the double in your hood. The combo of bulbs you want will be up to you but a decent plant bulb and a standard bulb from the home center will improve the color and lighting over what you have now. when you put the hood together make sure to make a relector in the hood from foil inside the body of the hood to reflect light into the tank, just dont cover any vents with the foil. also ensure that the bulbs are at about the front third of the tank so the light will enter at a angle that is more appealing to the eye, gives a front lighting effect instead of a rear lighting that kind of washes out the tank. On my 60 gal european tanks i just use a few pendant style lights with plant grow spotlight bulbs in them and a plexi cover on the tanks no real hood.

 

I use GE Aqua Rays bulbs and I like them. I have plants in the 1 aquarium and they are growing strong. I also like the slight blue light they emit, it makes some of the fish colors really stand out.

http://www.google.com/products?hl=en...num=1&ct=title

 

I use GroLux flourescent in my 100 gallon. I have all real plants and they grow like made. It further enhances the colors in many of the fish. This is fresh water tank, 5'6" long using 4 foot double tubes.
Bob

 

Ah, fresh water..... If you want to talk Salt water, then I can teach you alot. I had my own 150 gal reef tank when I meet my wife. I can't do much in it anymore due to lack of time but I maintain her equipment. I got her a 550 gal acropora tank a couple years ago. Also have a 180 gal (reef), 160 gal fish only salt water.