I use some shop lights for plants, and noticed that the fluorescent bulbs (T-12) burn out frequently, like within a month or two. But the fixtures for my aquariums (by Perfecto) are very reliable -- the lights burn for more than a year.

Does this have to do with "preheat" vs. "rapid start"? From what I've read, most aquarium fixtures use a starter to heat the tube cathodes and provide high voltage to create the arc, whereas rapid start, used in shop lights, apply voltage directly. I'm no expert on the technical aspects of this, but are preheat fixtures better for long-lasting bulbs? Or is a quality control issue (bad ballasts in cheap shop lights)?

Do you have recommendations for reliable hanging flourescent light fixtures. I hate wasting bulbs, and prefer to just get fixtures that cost a bit more but don't waste bulbs.

Thanks!
shireen

I have been using $8 shoplights from Home Depot with no such problem. I do use $2 cool white Philips T8 bulbs (also from Home Depot) instead of T12 bulbs, but my bulbs are still burning fine after many months of use over a period of three years. I think you must have gotten some bad shoplights or some bad T12 bulbs or both.

MM

Thanks, MaineMan!

cheers,
shireen