I was looking for something decent but cheap at home depot to use to light my 55g. I found a 48inch long shoplight which is the perfect size so I bought it. It was only $8.00
It uses 2 hallogen lights, T12's 40watts. Are these fine for the aquarium. I have no plants, just sand and fish. It seems to light it up really nice.
I'm confused... T12 refers to a certain thickness of flourescent fixture, which is not the same as a halogen, so a bulb cannot be T12 and halogen at the same time. If it was an $8 shoplight, its a T12 flourescent. In that case, you shouldn't have overheating issues, but watch out in the summer depending on how hot the room gets. You might want to set the bulbs off the tank a bit. As for quality of light, they're fine and dandy for viewing only (no plants)