Freshwater Lighting

B

bongkoy

AC Members
Aug 3, 2006
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Los Angeles, California
Can anyone suggest a good lighting for a 20Gal planted tank please?
What is the best flourescent spectrum to use?
Currently I have 2 single Tube strip lights at 15W.--Thanks for the replies!
 
the spectrum i prefer is 5000-7000 K because it simulates natural daylight. above that looks too pink (9325K) or too blue (20000 K). Plants can probably do fine at the pink spectrum, but it looks too pink to me.

If you have two bulbs in one light, or I guess if you can get both single strips to fit, just get two standard bulbs for that size. That should be enough light for most uses, especially if you're starting out with plants. If you want, post a thread in aquatic plants and people can give you the kind of plants that will do best with your lighting arrangement. The ones that require very high light are usually harder to keep, IME.
 
yeah, T-8 bulbs are brighter than T-10 or T-12 (larger diameter).

I don't think T5 or PC will work with standard compact flourescent fixtures. I'm guessing that's what he has because those are the most common, least specialized lighting.
 
It all depends on what you want the lighting for,

if it's simply to allow you to see inside your tank, buy whatever bulbs make it look best to you.

If you want to grow plants, it all depends on the plants you would like to grow, and their requirements. personally for a 20 tall aquarium (guessing based on the 18w bulb) I would look at a 65w compact flourescent fixture, either a retrofit into your existing hood, or a glass top and dedicated light.
 
plah831 said:
yeah, T-8 bulbs are brighter than T-10 or T-12 (larger diameter).

I don't think T5 or PC will work with standard compact flourescent fixtures. I'm guessing that's what he has because those are the most common, least specialized lighting.
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Iam using two tubes at 15W. The most standard and common you can buy on an neigborhood aquarium shop. Each on a separate hoods or housing.
 
plah831 said:
yeah, T-8 bulbs are brighter than T-10 or T-12 (larger diameter).

I don't think T5 or PC will work with standard compact flourescent fixtures. I'm guessing that's what he has because those are the most common, least specialized lighting.
Click to expand...


Pardon me for my ignorance but what does "T" stands for?
 
I don't know what the T stands for, but the number refers to the number of 1/8ths on an inch in the radius of the light.

so a T8 bulb is 8 x 1/8" or an inch in diameter, T12 is 1 1/2" etc.
 
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