I found a Florescent light fixture questions

[kaz]

I have a normal house or commercial florescent fixture and I was thinking if this can serve as my tank lights if I buy just 2 48length aquarium lights would this work?

 

[Purrbox]

Yes. It will work but it won't be as effecient as a light built for your aquarium. The reason is that the reflector in most lights built for your home are intended to light a room, not the small space of your tank. This means that a lot of the light will get directed out of your tank where your plants can't use it.

 

[Jchillin]

...unless you can find reflectors that can perform that feat as purrbox mentions. I know of a certain plant retailer that uses nothing but shop lights for his multitude of tanks.