Lighting Advice

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NeuroDoc

AC Members
Jun 22, 2005
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I have a 55g freshwater aquarium and want to buy new lighting for it, and would like anyone's/everyone's advice. I have only about 8 plants; a couple of swords, ludwigia, elodea, and some grass (can't remember species, corkscrew val?). My livestock: 2 rubber-lip plecos, 2 african dwarf frogs, 6 long-fin blue danios, 12-15 white clouds, 3 otocinclus, and a gold gourami.

My current lighting is a Customsealife 36" 96w PC 6700K. It is in it's own "case" and sits on top of the tank. I have a canopy, but don't dare use it right now because of the heat this current unit generates.

I am looking at a retrofit system to attach to my hood. Here is where I need the advice. Which of the follow options is best, or are they all bad? (all are with 36", 96w bulbs)

a. 1:1 swap and continue to use my current bulb, which is just 3 weeks old?

b. 1:1 swap and use a dual 10,000K/6700K bulb?

c. 1:2 swap with either two 6700K bulbs or a combination of that and the dual 10,000K/6700K?

d. 1:2 swap with a dual 10000/6700 and a dual actinic (7100K blue/Actinic 03)? If I did this I would use the dual actinic alone for dawn/dusk, as well as just keep in on with the daylight bulb?

Thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:
Neuro,
I have a 29 planted with a 10k and a 65k. Everything looks bright white and the mix of color brings out reds that aren't as apparent with just 65k bulbs. You still have PLENTY of absorbable light within the 65k to 10k spectrum. You also have to take bulb fade into consideration, as your bulbs won't remain "genuine" for long. Absorbable light is definately an issue, but not that big of an issue when you're using lights with a little higher intensity than NO flourescents. It basically comes down to what you want your tank to look like.
 
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