Why are aquarium lights SO EXPENSIVE!!!?

Question

So i figured out that the reason my plants keep dying is because my 20 gallon tank only has a 20 watt light! So i went to my local fish store to get a 65 watt light (what the guy there recommended)
and it was $70!!! Does anyone know where i can go or a website i can go to to get one for a lot cheaper? Thanks

Answer 1

Now lets be clear here do you currently have a fluorescent starter? if so the chances are its not strong enough to start up a light that size, however he's correct in the fact that a stronger light will help you to keep plants.
I would suggest you try some of the stores on the Internet I'm sure you will be able to pick up a starter and tube for less than that, even the U.K. is cheaper than that which is going some. I would have thought 40/50 watt tube would be better.
I'd suggest a tube which peaks in the yellow/red spectrum which is better for the plants and shows of the red's and blue's in fish better.

AJ

Answer 2

You do not need a 65 watt bulb. That would really heat up the aquarium, and that may not be good. Really, 40 watt maximum. Really. The guy was trying to take you for a ride. I wouldn't even know of a place that sells a $70 bulb. You just need plain white tube (elongated) regular bulbs. Even that will encourage algae growth, so be prepared to deal with that. Normally an aquarium hood for a 20 gallon has two screw in type receptors for two bulbs. If you are referring to a flourescent style specialty bulb, it would be much cheaper to get a hood that accepts the screw in bulbs. Just watch your water temp and make sure you have the lights on for long enough each day (consult where you purchase your plants, but as a rule, a good 6-8 hours). I actually used two 20 watt bulbs and made sure I had them on at least 8 hours a day, and I had no problems.

Answer 3

I bought two 15 watts light for $5. Maybe you miss read the amount. Try another shop. It also depends on the type of lighting you have (incandescent, clear etc.)

I would go with just the clear one because they don't generally heat up the surface of the water. I had had good experience with these. Don't go with incandescent lights because then some brown and green stuff would start to grow on your tank and plants.

Answer 4

usually you just need to get a different lightbulb but not a whole new setup, and I don't see what the guy in the store told you anyway, 40 watt for a 20 gallon is more then enough for the plants
Try Walmart, petsmart or petco, they are usually very good with there pricing

Check out these sites
http://www.shopjebo.com/
http://www.petsmart.com/landing/AquariumLighting/index_allglass.shtml?cm_ven=Google&cm_cat=adwords&cm_pla=hoods&cm_ite=aquarium+lights
http://fishsupply.com/supplies-lighting---accessories.html

Hope that helped
Good luck

Answer 5

if you really want the 65 watt bulb i am pretty sure any rite-aid will have one for way less than 70 dollars. you do not need that much wattage for a light in your aquarium. maybe try setting it up where sunlight hits it part of the day.

Answer 6

Well, I dont use that high of light I use 15 watts I fine that to be plenlty of light, and I only pay about 6 dollars each!

Answer 7

70 for the whole fixture and light?? if so give me tha address of the store i want to save some money. 70 for a new bulb is a rip. 70 for a compact flourescent fixture and bulb is great. alot of the 65w are over $100 online, look at metal halide you'll feel better about what you paid.

Answer 8

because the light you are buying is creating a natural light enviroment that the fish is used to, its not like buying a lightbulb for inside a house, the bulb need to have enough wattage for natural plant life to grow and flourish, such as algae, i know algae is ugly but some fish need to beable to eat it. and some fish require that much light to live. maybe try looking at ebay for aquarium lights, or check your local newspaper.

Answer 9

Engineer for Proton LED says:

LED lights displays beautiful light for aquariums especially if you use blue and white mixed. It is also very inexpensive to do and safe! there are plenty of web site for doing this
Good luck!
Paul Catignani Lyons ga

Answer 10

A 6,500K bulb in your fixture, or a T5 plant fixture($30-40) should be plenty of lighting. You don't need a compact fixture.