Looking for opinions on a couple products.

[myswtsins]

Has anyone ever heard of or used true aqua 55/65 watt 50/50 light bulbs before? Or even just the brand?? These are 1/2 the price of the other brands.

http://www.innovativelights.com/ils-10050.html

I am also very torn between the Emperor 400 Bio-wheel & the Penguin 350 bio-wheel. One of these will be used as an additional filter to 2 eheim canister filters for Mbuna Cichlids. I do no like the fact that I can not easily see if the bio-wheels are turning on the 400. Right now they are the same price at DFS. Any comments on these 2 filters? Or any other suggests are welcomed too.

[Riiz]

For bulbs, I'd recommend these instead, GE 9325K: http://www.lightbulbsdirect.com/page/001/PROD/Aquarium/F55BX-AR-FS

Instead of a Bio-wheel type of filter, I'd recommend a HOT Magnum, they make excellent water polishers and can actually move alot of water. And if you have a petsmart nearby, goto their site and print out http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752361, have them pricematch their online price of $47.99.

[Alan R]

I can't comment on what products are better than what. i can say, that I have been using 2 of the Emp 400's for about 6 months and they have been wonderful for me. I do not regret getting them at all.
I have read people complain they are a bit loud, but I have never had any problems there either. They are in my living room and I can't hear them at all unless I stand directly beside them.
That's my 2¢

[Riiz]

I never meant that bio-wheels are bad, I have 3 Penguin 350s between 2 tanks, but since he has Eheims for bio-filtration, I would suggest something that polishes the water instead.

[Cory Keeper]

I run a Magnum 350 on my 29, and run the micron cartridge 24/7, and two Rena Foam pads in the canister for bio filtration, water has never been clearer IMO.

[myswtsins]

Thanks for your input everyone.

The suggestions of the HOT Magnum is an interesting idea. I think the 2 canisters will be sufficient for bio filtration but I am not an expert! :) Between my canisters & my UG Jet system I have 809gph so I am good there. My concern with the Hot 350 is that I will be lightly planting the tank down the line & all the carbon in this would remove quite a bit of trace elements.

May I ask why you suggested that light, Riiz? I was going to use the 50/50 to get great colors from my fish.

I really should be ordering this stuff tonight (last night actually) but I am quite interested in hearing more about the HOT 350 carbon & plants as well as Riiz's lighting suggestion.

[Cory Keeper]

Actually the Magnum 350 is not H.O.T., its just a regular canister filter. As far as carbon, that's optional, its just like the H.O.T. Magnum 250, you can run either carbon with a floss pad, or leave the container empty, or put Bio filtration in it. like nano bio-balls, or use the micron cartridge either in spots or run 24/7. I run micron 24/7 and will spot polish with carbon to remove tannins and the such. And so far, no adverse affects to the plants.

[Riiz]

For the Hot Magnum, I meant to run the Micron filter 24/7, that will polish the water very effectively. I dont run Activated Carbon either, maybe Purigen if I ever have a problem in the future.

I would advise against the 50/50 because the actinic side is ineffective for growing plants, the GE's are very nice, cause they have alot of red for a CF bulb and will really make plants and fish pop and at the same time grow plants.

I have a link from another forum showing the difference between popular CF temps. http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/lighting/723-9325k-difference.html

[RodInCALIFORNIA]

I use 12 emperor 400's on my various tanks and love them they keep my water crystal clear. I just got a marineland canopy top w/ built in filter it has 4 bio wheels and its on my 55 gallon tank and its nice. I really like marineland products. I have never had a issue of the bio wheels not moving once you adjust the spray bar when you set the filter up your good to go. And I never had a noise issue.

[Mgamer20o0]

Thanks for your input everyone.

The suggestions of the HOT Magnum is an interesting idea. I think the 2 canisters will be sufficient for bio filtration but I am not an expert! :) Between my canisters & my UG Jet system I have 809gph so I am good there. My concern with the Hot 350 is that I will be lightly planting the tank down the line & all the carbon in this would remove quite a bit of trace elements.

May I ask why you suggested that light, Riiz? I was going to use the 50/50 to get great colors from my fish.

I really should be ordering this stuff tonight (last night actually) but I am quite interested in hearing more about the HOT 350 carbon & plants as well as Riiz's lighting suggestion.
if your going to do plants its prob best you get a reg bulb vs a 50/50.

no filter your forced to use carbon. i am still not sold on the carbon removes trace elements and even if they did they are trace. most people are missing macro more often then not which is a lot more important.

[jones57742]

if your going to do plants its prob best you get a reg bulb vs a 50/50.
mys:

The real plant gurus on the Forum think that I have lost it here but I currently employ two 10000K bulbs and two 7100K bulbs in my PC's.

The plant health and growth appear to be, very qualitatively, greater than with just 10000K.

I cannot compare to the 6700K bulbs as I only left these yellow light emitting creatures installed about 20 minutes one day.

TR

[Riiz]

Its all about preference really. Keep the lights in the 6000k-10000k range, and your set.

For me I was planning to mix 6700k with 10000k, for a whiter look. But after seeing some GE's 9325's, I'm going with 6700k/9325k blend, I like the reds from the GE bulbs, and 6700k are the brightest of the CF lamps.

[myswtsins]

Thanks for your input everyone, especially the link to the bulb comparisons. I ordered 1 50/50 & 1 GE 9325k and we will see how the mix turns out. From my understanding that should give me good blues & reds (for the fish) as well as be enough to grow java ferns & anubias.

As for the filter I went with the emp 400. If I find it unnecessary for actual filtration there are always "other" tanks that need a good filter. :) And then I would go with the H.O.T Mag for polishing.

Thanks again, I learned a lot.