Bulb selection for 30 Gal tank

oazanki · 01-21-2004, 02:31 AM

Hi Guys,

I am thinking about putting 4X24"T12 flourescent bulbs over my 30 Gal tank mounted on a DIY canopy.. do you guys have any suggestions for the bulbs?

what brands and color temps should I select for the best results?

Wasserpest · 01-21-2004, 04:16 AM

Supposedly the best bulb out there is the GE Aquarays 9325K bulb. You might choose to complement it with "normal" daylight bulbs (~6500K) to offset the pinkish hue. Or not. Or something totally different. There are many choices.

Remember that the bulb is only part of the equation. Good reflectors, for example, assure that more of the light goes into the tank. Important point to consider when doing DIY.

**SCMurphy** · 01-21-2004, 11:30 AM

Why not just get a 96 watt PC kit from AHSupply? They are long enough to give an even coverage to a 30 gallon tank. And they contribute to these kinds of results.

aquaverde · 01-21-2004, 01:41 PM

I have just installed one of these over my 30. I purchased two kits and an enclosure from AHS for the future tank, and installed one just to use now on the growout tank (30W NO All-Glass fixture just wasn't getting it, folks). If it doesn't blow up (the setup, not the lights), I may post pics of the progress after a few weeks.

01-21-2004, 04:16 AM	#2
Wasserpest Are these real? (View User Tanks) PTrader: (140/100%) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 14,643	Supposedly the best bulb out there is the GE Aquarays 9325K bulb. You might choose to complement it with "normal" daylight bulbs (~6500K) to offset the pinkish hue. Or not. Or something totally different. There are many choices. Remember that the bulb is only part of the equation. Good reflectors, for example, assure that more of the light goes into the tank. Important point to consider when doing DIY. __________________ All my tanks Autodosing Water Change Temperature Monitoring Cheap Filter The Wasser-Controller

01-21-2004, 11:30 AM	#3
SCMurphy PT Biologist (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Maryland USA Posts: 3,197	Why not just get a 96 watt PC kit from AHSupply? They are long enough to give an even coverage to a 30 gallon tank. And they contribute to these kinds of results. __________________ Sean Aquascape? I'm a crypt farmer. It's a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore looking like an idiot. That IS an aquascape, it's titled "The Vacant Lot".

01-21-2004, 01:41 PM	#4
aquaverde Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Mid-Hudson Valley, New York Posts: 1,409	I have just installed one of these over my 30. I purchased two kits and an enclosure from AHS for the future tank, and installed one just to use now on the growout tank (30W NO All-Glass fixture just wasn't getting it, folks). If it doesn't blow up (the setup, not the lights), I may post pics of the progress after a few weeks. __________________ James

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01-21-2004, 02:31 AM	#1
oazanki Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: RSM, CA Posts: 77	Hi Guys, I am thinking about putting 4X24"T12 flourescent bulbs over my 30 Gal tank mounted on a DIY canopy.. do you guys have any suggestions for the bulbs? what brands and color temps should I select for the best results?