Just wondering on different light bulbs for fish tanks

[Britt20]

I'm soon going to need bulbs for my fish tank. Is there a specific brand or type of bulb that is good to use or are they all the same. I was looking on petsmarts website and saw that they had

AQUA-GLO® Fluorescent Bulbs by Hagen
from $8.99

POWER-GLO® Fluorescent Bulbs by Hagen
from $10.99

MARINE-GLO Marine Fluorescent Aquarium Bulbs by Hagen
from $10.99

SUN-GLO® Fluorescent Bulbs by Hagen
from $8.99


Marina Incandescent Showcase Bulbs by Hagen from $1.99.



any of these any good. In my first tank I had colored bulbs and they seemed to loose their color and brightness quickly.

Any recommendations on bulbs? Not sure what Im looking for though. Just wanting recommendations.

Thanks

[Rallysman]

What type of bulb do you currently have?

[SHK_ATK]

Is your tank planted?

[Britt20]

I actually dont know what type I have right now since I got the tank used and they seem to not have a name on them. Fake plants in my tank for now.

[fishy_sue]

Bump!!

I need new bulbs too!

Thanks

[Rallysman]

I actually dont know what type I have right now since I got the tank used and they seem to not have a name on them. Fake plants in my tank for now.
Can you measure the bulb diameter (it is flourescent, right?)

[Squawkbert]

AQUA-GLO® Fluorescent Bulbs by Hagen
from $8.99

POWER-GLO® Fluorescent Bulbs by Hagen
from $10.99

MARINE-GLO Marine Fluorescent Aquarium Bulbs by Hagen
from $10.99

SUN-GLO® Fluorescent Bulbs by Hagen
from $8.99

Marina Incandescent Showcase Bulbs by Hagen from $1.99.

AFAIK: 1st 4 are all fluorescent available in different lengths, t8, (maybe) t5, t12. Marine-glo is actinic, gives off very blue/violet shades of light. Marina Incandescent is a screw-in, not compatible w/ any fluorescent fixture.

Sun, Power & Aqua would probably be better for planted tanks in general - my guess is that sun-glo would be the closest to the 6500-6700K range, but that's a guess. I think the marine-glo will also grow plants, but it is quite blue... the others are whiter.

[Defiant1]

Since you have fake plants like me, I'd go with the Aqua-Glo. I like the way it looks.

[Britt20]

Can you measure the bulb diameter (it is flourescent, right?)


outside diameter is about an 1 1/2 inches and the its about 4 inches long with two bulbs in tank.

I don't believe that they are the fluorescent (sp?) bulbs

[Britt20]

well I just looked at some bigger pictures of those AQUA-GLO® Fluorescent Bulbs by Hagen and it seems that they wont fit into my tank since I have two bulbs in the hood. Is there a different type of bulb that is just as good and that will fit so I dont have to make them fit or get a new hood?


This is similar to what is in tank now: http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0002AQMQY.01-A9P1KZBSDQIPK._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg


but I dont believe that they are the aquaglo in tank now its probably some no name brand or something

[Britt20]

will that type of bulb work?

[Defiant1]

I have these types of Aqua-Glo

24" Aqua-Glo (http://www.aquahobby.com/products/e_aquaglo.php)

[Britt20]

Well this is a picture of the current cover that is on my fish tank.

[Star_Rider]

Well this is a picture of the current cover that is on my fish tank.
I don't believe these are fluorescent...most fluorescent are pin type.

you 'll need to replace with a similar bulb. but it's not a big deal since the tank is not planted.

[Britt20]

you 'll need to replace with a similar bulb. but it's not a big deal since the tank is not planted.


What type of bulb would be recommended then.

[Junky123]

I also have these "screw-in" Incandescent bulbs in my 10gl tank. It outputs a clear yellow lights. We bought it from Petsmart and I hated it.

If anyone knows where I could get a replacement which puts out white (as flourescent white) or white/purple I would appreciate it.

Thanks

[Britt20]

Originally Posted by Mgamer20o0
well first of all you should get some power compact screw in bulbs. i have seen them as much as 27w.
if your going to go with the plants that have roots then you should add more gravel. 2-3 inch is fine. i wouldnt go any less then 2 inch and over 3 inch just takes up more space.

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-28687261952425_1929_54440844

basically like this. the ones i have seen around here been a little different.



These are the types of bulbs that I just bought yesterday for the tank. I have noticed a a big difference in the color and look.


Here here is a couple pictures of tank now:


http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/britt1725/DCP_1854.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/britt1725/DCP_1853-1.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/britt1725/DCP_1852.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/britt1725/DCP_1853.jpg




and before:

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/britt1725/Picture030.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/britt1725/Picture029.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/britt1725/Picture028.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p155/britt1725/Picture027.jpg

[Britt20]

So those bulbs that I replaced one of them is already burnt out and its only been about a month or two. I had to replace the one already so should I be looking at a different type of bulb or what can I do to make them last longer that a couple months?

[Mgamer20o0]

they shouldnt have burned out yet. they say they last thousands of hours. i would take them back. maybe you got a bad batch.

[Britt20]

i would have to look for the receipt and I dont have the packaging anymore. Got them from walmart.

[beefsteak]

I like the Power Glos best. The fish look really nice and they also work well for plants. But you said you can't use them so...