Poll: Where do you get your bulbs?

[sandypants]

Just curious as to where people get their bulbs. I was planning on getting my fluorescent from a pet store but now it sounds like they are the same as hardware store bulbs. Thoughts?

[sandypants]

So far I have only had the bulb that came with my (used) aquarium I purchased from my LFS in Feb.:sebastian:

[rich311k]

I have all T5 or PC bulbs. I buy them online.

[Lady Hobbs]

Depends on your fixture. If you have a coralife fixture they need a coralife bulb. If you have a shop light, you can get the bulbs just about anywhere.

[DrNic]

My downstairs neighbor works for bulbs.com. He gets me AWESOME prices on quality bulbs. I am in the process of getting new 10,000K fluorescent bulbs for ALL my hoods, and will order all my T5 bulbs through him once I get my SW tank off the ground.

[Goodbye]

I use T-8 and Compact Fluorescents. My LFS has horrible prices on bulbs and other equipment so I buy mine online.

[sandypants]

Does $12 sound decent for a standard 6700k 15watt 18" tube bulb? That is what Petco sells them for.

[Taurus]

That sounds like a petco price. You can do better on line, but the shipping is a killer unless you're putting in a big order. I can never find T-8 tubes around here at Home Depot, Walmart, Lowes, ect. with a higher k rating than 3,000.

I just bought a new All-Glass T-8 24", 8,000k, 20,000 hour tube at petco for $15. On line, it would have been $9 + $9 (shipping) = $18. No way I'm gonna find an 8,000k T-8 24" tube around here.

Hmm bulb.com? I'll have to check them out.

[sandypants]

Taurus- curious- did it make a dif. in you tank? (just having a new bulb even if it was same K as before)? Is there a hue or is it more "white light." I may go back to Petco today. I am really wanting to see how bright a new bulb will be!

[Taurus]

Sandy, my old bulb was 3 years old.:hmm3grin2orange: Which is amazing because it still put out enough light for Rotala to grow nicely under. The new bulb is brighter (whiter), no doubt. And it has a 20,000 hour rating on it, just like the old bulb. If this new one goes three years and Rotala still does well under it, I'll be happy. :ssmile: Rotala is basically a water weed that looks nice.

By the time you pay for shipping, you might as well buy the all-glass bulb from petco. All-glass bulbs are quality bulbs.

But I will continue to shop for cheaper prices both on and off line.

[sandypants]

Yeah that is kind of what I figured (PetCo) price wasn't too bad compared to the specialty k rating bulbs at LFS for $25. I can do $12 or $13 plus I have a 10% off total purchase coupon so I am SURE I can find other items I need too :) Plus I am too lazy to search around a Home Depot or Lowes.

[sandypants]

By the way- 3 years for ANY light bulb (aquatic and not) is impressive!!!

[Taurus]

Plus I am too lazy to search around a Home Depot or Lowes.

It's not a question of laziness. It's a hassle going to HD or Lowes just trying to find someone that knows what you're asking for and where it is. I always look for myself but always get that reply, "if it's not right there, then we don't have it!" but I digress...

[Lab_Rat]

My LFS has the PC lamps cheaper than online so I go there. It's a win-win as it's cheaper for me and I'm supporting local business.

[sandypants]

I hear ya lab rat. My LFS has the same bulbs as Petco for $1 more and I'd prob. get it there to support local buis. but then again I need to get cat treats and can use a 10% off coupon at Petco so that might be the deciding factor this evening.

[Taurus]

My LFS has the PC lamps cheaper than online so I go there. It's a win-win as it's cheaper for me and I'm supporting local business.

My LFS is petco.