T5 Lighting - Freshwater Tank

[edward.mallia]

Hi All,

I'd like to know if anybody can help with this question.

I plan to purchase an Arcadia Overtank Lighting Fixture - T5 Marine for my freshwater tank. The reason I'm getting the marine version is to make sure that I have enough lighting power for heavily planting the tank.

Should I go for the Marine version or the Freshwater version? I personally think the difference between the two is which bulbs are supplied with the unit at purchase.

The tank is 150ltrs - Co2

Thanks for any help!

Ed

 

[Mgamer20o0]

what kind of bulb is it? i know a few people that have great planted tanks using the t5 setups.

 

[edward.mallia]

It has two tubes; 24watts 1 x White 14,000K & 1 x Marine Blue. Think these are ok for Freshwater Plants?

 

[Hound]

If I'm thinking right the marine blue bulb won't help a planted freshwater aquarium. I've always gone with 6500k bulbs myself, but I've heard from others using bulbs from about 4000k all the way up to 15000k or so. More than likely the fixture in it's freshwater version would come with 2 bulbs that fit within that sort of range.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

well the marine blue isnt going to help the plants at all. i have used 6500k and 10000k bulbs. never had any 14000k so dont know how good they are for plants.

 

[edward.mallia]

I doubt the different versions are the bulbs since there is almost a 75pound difference in price between the freshwater and marine version here in Malta, Europe.

I guess I'll change the bulbs to a lower (K) something around 6000K maybe?
Should I get one white and one blue or both white?

 

[Mgamer20o0]

the blue or Actinic dont help plants grow. the 6000k is fine.

 

[edward.mallia]

I'll probably switch the lights to the new arcadia T5 plantgro range, should be good.

Thanks guys for all your help! Great Board!