What bulbs to get to replace blown one?

[Lady-Lene]

Sorry - Hope I'm not being a nuicance (seem to be posting lots lately). Just initial setting up gliches !

One of my bulbs have blown. I have two double Aqua One units. Bulbs measure 36". They currently have Power-Glo bulbs, T8, 30 watt

I have a planted tank and want to get bulbs that will be good for my plants also. There seems to be lots of options and its all gobbledy gook to me.

Suggestions please from you lovely knowledgeable people

Many thanks

[Loopy]

I just had to replace a blown bulb for one of my tanks. I have a 4ft double bulb hood (aquaone brand) The remaining bulb which still works is a power glo and i decided to get an Aquaglo bulb. I hope that i made the right decision. I thought that combining those 2 bulbs should give me a good range in the tank for the plants.

[Lady-Lene]

Loopy I saw that there were two kinds but couldn't figure out what the difference was between PowerGlo and Aquaglo? The place I looked at didn't have any Aquaglow in 36" anyway.

[Loopy]

They both focus on a slightly different colour of light. One of them produces a bit more of the red in the light spectrum and the other more blue. I can't remember the specifics because i am already digging up old memories from back at school but plants need the red light to convert to energy i think so a bulb that produces light with more of the red concentration will be more beneficial. The powerglo and Aquaglo bulbs have little graphs on the sides of their boxes with give an indication of what they produce etc.

I hope some one comes along to correct or confirm what i have just said please :oops:

[markoshark]

Powerglow = for fish

Aquaglow = for plants.

In a double tube fitting, place the aquaglow at the back, and the powerglow at the front.

[Insect Direct]

even better still go to bunnings and get a 6500k tube theyre all good for plants and imo fish dont need a special light.

4ft is about $4-8 each

[Tom Gunner]

It's true that most stock 6500k bulbs will grow plants, but depending on what plants you want to grow and how well there's a few other factors that come into play - especially if you have 3+ WPG.

Here's a bit of light reading for you. Please excuse the pun.

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/foru ... -lighting/

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/foru ... arium.html

http://www.aquabotanic.com/lightcompare.htm

[SpidersWeb]

I found PowerGlo '18000K' lights great for plants. If you look at their spectgrum graph you will see very strong spikes at the wavelengths required by Clorophyl etc

Standard 6500k do cover the wavelengths required, but they wont have a specific emphasis on the required wavelengths. The advtange here is they cost $7 rather than $20-30.

After Tom Gunners thread asking about this, I did some reading too. In the future I'll be using PowerGlo for my planted tanks.

[Insect Direct]

After Tom Gunners thread asking about this, I did some reading too. In the future I'll be using PowerGlo for my planted tanks

Interesting, you wouldnt happen to have a link to that thread?

[Lady-Lene]

Interesting, you wouldnt happen to have a link to that thread?

See post above Mincie

Thanks Guys - I purchased PowerGlo 18000K so should be OK. I've not finished my 'light reading' yet but what I have read is great. :lol:

[Tom Gunner]

A lot of people at Aquatic Plant Central swear by Sylvania growlux wide spectrum. I might give these a go.