Change of lighting Questions

SemperFish · 03-02-2013, 04:01 AM

Hello

I have a 55g tank with RCS, Panda Garra, Oto's, Cardinals. As far as plants I'd say its medium to heavily planted with crypts, anubias, other low to medium light plants. I currently have a coralife T-5NO fixture with two 65K bulbs. One bulb is about 6 months old the other over two years old. I've neglected it for awhile and battled some bba with metrecide 14, getting parameters under control, and I have it just about wiped out.

I've been thinking about changing my lighting to a two T-8 bulb fixture (home depot diamond plate fixture) or maybe the finnex fugeray 48 when it comes available. I'm leaning more to the diamond plate fixture due to the cost and availability of bulbs.

What do you think? Any ideas on which is the best T-8 bulbs to use? Should I spend the extra $$ on the fugeray when it's available?

Thanks in advance

**mitchfish9** · 03-02-2013, 04:24 AM

The diamond plate fixture is only only t8's, but it has GREAT reflectors so you would have to raise that fixture up. Im not sure of the par on the fugeray, but if it is around 25-35 it would be perfect for a low-medium light low tech setup.

apfunk · 03-05-2013, 02:22 PM

I have three t-8's over my 75g with some of the same plants you have mentioned and it seems to work well. I don't even have reflectors. I painted the piece of plywood white that they are mounted to.

**xmas_one** · 03-05-2013, 02:28 PM

I ran t8’s for years, my favorite was a mix of Phillips 6500k and chroma 50 bulbs. Both of these bulbs were available at home depot years ago.

03-02-2013, 04:01 AM	#1
SemperFish Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Calera, Alabama (central Alabama) Posts: 105	Change of lighting Questions Hello I have a 55g tank with RCS, Panda Garra, Oto's, Cardinals. As far as plants I'd say its medium to heavily planted with crypts, anubias, other low to medium light plants. I currently have a coralife T-5NO fixture with two 65K bulbs. One bulb is about 6 months old the other over two years old. I've neglected it for awhile and battled some bba with metrecide 14, getting parameters under control, and I have it just about wiped out. I've been thinking about changing my lighting to a two T-8 bulb fixture (home depot diamond plate fixture) or maybe the finnex fugeray 48 when it comes available. I'm leaning more to the diamond plate fixture due to the cost and availability of bulbs. What do you think? Any ideas on which is the best T-8 bulbs to use? Should I spend the extra $$ on the fugeray when it's available? Thanks in advance

03-05-2013, 02:22 PM	#3
apfunk Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 23	I have three t-8's over my 75g with some of the same plants you have mentioned and it seems to work well. I don't even have reflectors. I painted the piece of plywood white that they are mounted to. __________________ Android CO2 Calculator

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03-02-2013, 04:24 AM	#2
mitchfish9 Planted Tank Nation (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Oak Park, IL Posts: 874	The diamond plate fixture is only only t8's, but it has GREAT reflectors so you would have to raise that fixture up. Im not sure of the par on the fugeray, but if it is around 25-35 it would be perfect for a low-medium light low tech setup.

03-05-2013, 02:28 PM	#4
xmas_one Custom User Title (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 2,060	I ran t8’s for years, my favorite was a mix of Phillips 6500k and chroma 50 bulbs. Both of these bulbs were available at home depot years ago.