Triple tube by All-Glass any good?

[mvigor]

I will probably be ordering this triple tube florescent light by All-Glass to put on my new 55 gallon tank.

http://www.petsmart.com/media/ps/images/products/detail/large/i/inP0/inP033751large_f507.jpg

Will I have so much light that I'll grow algea like crazy, or is that a factor?

[wraithrose]

been looking at one of those myself wuts watts?

[mvigor]

I think each of the three bulbs are 15 watt florescents.

[tre8160]

4' T-12's are 40w, 4' T-8's are 32w each. They're nice fixtures as fluorescent tubes come in so many differant kelvin ratings the possibility's are endless as far as bulb combo's are concerned and differant color combonations can completly change the look of the tank.

[mvigor]

4' T-8's are 32w each. They're nice fixtures as fluorescent tubes come in so many different kelvin ratings the possibilities are endless as far as bulb combos are concerned and different color combinations can completly change the look of the tank.

Ok, they are 32W each. :read:

That equates to nearly 2 watts per gallon on a fairly tall tank. Sounds just about right from what I've heard.

Are you saying that it is not necessary to use three matching tubes? That I can mix and match? Are there ballast problems when you mix and match?

[Galaxie]

I just put one of these over my 37g tank. It looks amazing with the 9200K bulb it comes with.
All-Glass HO Compact (http://all-glass.com/products/hoods/index.html)

[Captain Hook]

In my experience, All-glass makes quality products. I have a power compact fluorescent strip from them. That 3 tube fixture should give you a good amount of light for growing plants. You may even want to consider adding CO2.

[tre8160]

Nope no problems with mixing bulbs. They come in alot of colors (kelvin temp) the bottom of the spectrum say 4000k would be quite yellow 6500k would get more white 10,000k would be whitish blue and 20,000k would be more bluish white. Then of course you have Actinic (blue) which makes anything with blue look great. I use a mix of 10k and actinic on my cichlid tank, I really like that combo, but what's pleasing to my eye my not be to yours. Just play around with some differant combos till you find one you like. Also you might look at doing just a twin strip if your not getting into plants at 2wpg without anything competing for nutrients you could have algae issues.

[Kissofthegorami]

It will work grea. I have a double strip light that i dnt use anymore. The only thing that I would offer is that u can by compact flourescents with more wattage, that last longer for the same price as a triple tube.

[mvigor]

Thank you everyone! One more question...If I buy the triple light strip, and find out that it IS too much light, can I run it with one or two bulbs removed?

[jimangie1973]

Thank you everyone! One more question...If I buy the triple light strip, and find out that it IS too much light, can I run it with one or two bulbs removed?

Yes, I run a double with 1 removed. I've had it like this for almost 2 years.

[tre8160]

FWIW, I have a twin tube over a 75 and it gives me plenty of light.

[barracuda]

Can you use higher-wattage bulbs in the All-Glass? I'm thinking that the three 32w bulbs in my 48" All-Glass lamp may not be enough for my planted aquarium, since that's just over 1w per gallon. Sorry for the newbie question but I'm just getting started...

90 gallon Oceanic (48"x18"x24")
160 lbs Eco-complete planted gravel
2xPenguin Bio-wheel 350

[Galaxie]

It will probably say on the ballast how much power it can handle. If it came with 32 watts, that's probably the maximum safe power.

[joephys]

I have a twin tube and for my 29 and it doesn't fit on the glass top right. They make special glass hoods that fit the lights, but I haven't seen anyone that actually sells them. I know its an issue for 55 gallon tanks to since they are almost the same width as a 29. I don't know forsure, but I would assume that the triple tube is atleast the same fixture as a twin tube.

[Galaxie]

I have a twin tube and for my 29 and it doesn't fit on the glass top right. They make special glass hoods that fit the lights, but I haven't seen anyone that actually sells them. I know its an issue for 55 gallon tanks to since they are almost the same width as a 29.

Petsolutions sells these. I have one on my 37g.

Click Here (http://www.petsolutions.com/All+Glass+Twin+Tube+Glass+Covers-I-15929350-I-C-35-C-.aspx)

[Digital]

I am contimplating between the triple and the double for my 90G planted tank. I have a single strip light now and even without anything in it, it just looks not bright enough.

[AnDr3w]

Digital, with a planted tank, it depends on the kind of plants you'd like to grow when you decide on what fixture to buy. If you buy low-light plants, such as anubia's and sword's, go with two bulbs. For higher light plants such as carpets, go with three.