T8 Bulb Suggestion for New 55gal Tank

Your Light Question

kclone said:

I just purchased a used 55gal tank. It has a 48inch double bulb T8 light strip with no bulbs in it. (takes 48inch bulbs) I'm interested in growing freshwater plants. I'm fairly certain that with this fixture that means it will be a low light setup. [FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]Tank dimensions are: 48 1/4 x 12 3/4 x 21 Light will sit right on top of tank. Suggestions on bulbs to get? Eventually I might upgrade the lights, but in the mean time I'm just looking to get two bulbs to get the setup going. (I still need to purchase all other tank supplies.) Suggestions?
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Hello k...

I keep several 55 G tanks and used to use single, T8 bulbs in them. The T8 is typically 32 watts and considered low light. Even low light plants like Anubias, Java fern and the mosses will grow very slowly. You can also float stem plants in the lighting you currently have in the tank. Anacharis, Pennywort and Duckweed will do pretty well in low light.

I eventually changed to a two light, T5 bulbs and LED fixture, so my plants would grow better. If you decide to go this way, I'd recommend a brand named "Deep Blue Pro, Solarmax".

B

BBradbury said:

Hello k...

I keep several 55 G tanks and used to use single, T8 bulbs in them. The T8 is typically 32 watts and considered low light. Even low light plants like Anubias, Java fern and the mosses will grow very slowly. You can also float stem plants in the lighting you currently have in the tank. Anacharis, Pennywort and Duckweed will do pretty well in low light.

I eventually changed to a two light, T5 bulbs and LED fixture, so my plants would grow better. If you decide to go this way, I'd recommend a brand named "Deep Blue Pro, Solarmax".

B

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Thanks BBradbury. The fixture that came with this tank has spots for 2 48inch T8 bulbs. That gives me hope that something will grow. Does someone make red spectrum T8 bulbs or should I just go full spectrum?

When I ran t8's I used a mix of chroma 50 and Phillips 6500. You should be able to find them at home depot or lowes for cheap.

Aquarium Lighting

kclone said:

Thanks BBradbury. The fixture that came with this tank has spots for 2 48inch T8 bulbs. That gives me hope that something will grow. Does someone make red spectrum T8 bulbs or should I just go full spectrum?

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Hello again k...

As the previous poster suggested, 6500K bulbs are recommended for planted tanks. They give off a light blue color that mimics natural daylight. Hardware stores generally carry an aquarium plant bulb that's 6500K. I believe GE is the brand.

B

BBradbury said:

Hello again k...

As the previous poster suggested, 6500K bulbs are recommended for planted tanks. They give off a light blue color that mimics natural daylight. Hardware stores generally carry an aquarium plant bulb that's 6500K. I believe GE is the brand.

B

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Thanks everyone. I got two GE 6500 at Lowe's. That will have to do until I upgrade.