Odessa Barbs , good tankmates

Neat setup.

I would caution against upgrading to T5HO (how many bulbs?) unless you are planning on going higher tech or are going to be raising the light above the tank significantly. You currently are pretty lightly stocked when it comes to plants, and mostly slow growers that don't need a lot of light to begin with...I'm guessing the algae would love it, but you and your plants maybe not so much.
 
I agree with Josh. I have tried various lighting during the past three years as my old (1990's) fixtures have been giving out. I can suggest some options, likely even using what you already have with better tubes, if you confirm the stats. This is a 40g breeder, so is presumably 36 X 18 X 17 inches in dimensions? Or is it the 4-foot long 40g? And you currently have two T8 tubes that are each 36 inches?

Byron.
 
I got a line a a single bulb unit for $15, no big whoop.

These plants used to be in my 110g before it failed and I ran four 6500k t5 ho's on that, but that tank was deeper and the unit had legs, plus lots of shade from val grass etc....

This tank I'd like to see a ton of crypts in it long term and slowly move out the others, but that will take a long long time ;-)
 
Dredgesclone said:
Sorry didnt see your post.

Yes 40 breeder with two 24" t8 cheap ge aquatic bulbs from lowes clearance rack, $1.75 per bulb, I bought a handful
Click to expand...

The smaller sized GE and similar tubes do not have the intensity. I use the 48-inch GE and Sylvania and Phillips tubes, in dual fixtures over my 4 and 5-foot tanks, and they are quite adequate. But I tried a single GE over my 29g and the plants which had been thriving under a single Life-Glo packed up and died, roots included.

With the present dual T8 fixture, you could use tubes like the Hagen Life-Glo or the ZooMed UltraSun. Having two tubes, you can also mix tubes to get more warmth/less coolness, or less warmth/more coolness. For example, an UltraSun and a TropicSun (ZooMed) would give you a warmer white, while the UltraSun alone or one with say a CoralSun would give more cooler white. I have used these combos. But any of these tubes will be sufficient light for low and moderate light requiring plants.

If you go with the single tube T5 you mentioned earlier, this should work OK, with just one tube. But two T5 would be too much. If this is your decision, a T5 tube with around 6500K is what you want.

Another option is LED. I have very limited experience here, but you can find suitable units if you know what you are getting, and long-term they last longer with no regular replacement tubes/bulbs. The T8 and T5 tubes must be replaced regularly as they lose intensity fairly quickly; my T8's are replaced every 12 months.

Byron.
 
Just an FYI-Greg from Select Aquatics has the best Odessa Barbs out there. His selective breeding program produces fish that blow all the rest away. If you decide to get females, get them from Select.

Let them know Craig's Tropicals sent you. No, I get nothing out of it.
 
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