Joe Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Hey everyone, I was thinking of getting a couple of 30watt T8 PowerGlos as I need to change the tubes in my lighting hood. I have heard a lot of good things about them and that they are great for growing plants and phoenix44's and Jennifer's display tanks are proof of that. I was at the pet shop the other day and I was talking to one of the staff and I was telling him about my plants and how I needed to change my light tubes and was thinking of getting the PowerGlos. He told me that PowerGlos are OK for plants but GroLux tubes are way better by far and put out more lumens and he uses them on his tanks and he has amazing plant growth. He said he can order some in for me if I want to get them. So guys, PowerGlo or GroLux? Thanks, Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshlikesfish Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Switched on Gardener sells the GroLux. A 4 foot Grow Lux tube that is ideal to use for starting cuttings or seedlings. It is designed to be used as the only light source, having the full spectrum necessary for photosynthesis and chlorophyll production. I'd imagine there is a reason behind using powerglo over grolux though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Gro Lux are good, but I'll eat my hat if someone manages to convince me that they are better than powerglos for the plants that you have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshlikesfish Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Omnomnomnom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Someone once told me that you can get almost the same results as those fancy aquarium bulbs, by if you choosing the right colour standard bulb from mitre10 for a fraction of the price? Exactly what makes these gro bulbs different? Yes I know they will be "specially designed" for growing aquatic plants, but what is different in the way they do that to any other normal bulb like say a 6800k T8 that most would use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-obstacle Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Someone once told me that you can get almost the same results as those fancy aquarium bulbs, by if you choosing the right colour standard bulb from mitre10 for a fraction of the price? Exactly what makes these gro bulbs different? Yes I know they will be "specially designed" for growing aquatic plants, but what is different in the way they do that to any other normal bulb like say a 6800k T8 that most would use? p44 will step in here I'm sure but I've heard him say they're 18000K (practically blue/white light) with red and a bit of green added? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Glo Lux is again one of those specialist tubes that doesn't strictly conform to a single Kelvin rating. It might have to be rated at around 8500K but again is a specialist tube. Great for Hygros and some Dutch tanks, but they won't beat powerglos. Only tube that will beat powerglos are plantpros but at $120 per T5HO tube, I wouldn't go rushing to the shops to buy them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GZ_Loach Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Are the powerGlo's for 4ft asian or 4ft european length? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 I have no idea what that means... :dunno: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GZ_Loach Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Light fittings come in two sizes, asian and european - My Hagen Glo fitting only takes aquaone tubes, the good brands are too long and won't fit in, apparently asian 4ft is smaller for some reason. Although with that said, there isn't a large range at my LFS's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 I only use the Hagen tubes on my Hagen hood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Light fittings come in two sizes, asian and european - My Hagen Glo fitting only takes aquaone tubes, the good brands are too long and won't fit in, apparently asian 4ft is smaller for some reason. Although with that said, there isn't a large range at my LFS's Probably nothing to do with any nationality manufacturers always try and make spares for them items unique so that you can't go and buy standard ones that do the same job for a fraction of the price.. It makes sense Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GZ_Loach Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 I would prefer anything over aquaone when it comes to lighting :yaw1: I cant seem to find the Hagen fluro tubes in Hamilton tho :facepalm: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Isn't there an Animates in Hamilton? It should be in stock there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Goldfish bowl in Hamilton? I'm still really fond of that place :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GZ_Loach Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Isn't there an Animates in Hamilton? It should be in stock there. I only buy plants from Animates, everything else is really expensive so I haven't looked at anything else. How much should I expect to pay for a 4ft tube? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 60-70 for a 4ft powerglo is quite standard. Not 100% sure on price but it'll be around that mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshlikesfish Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 http://www.hollywoodfishfarm.co.nz/detail/view/hagen-power-glo-high-output-t5-46-54w/m/1009/ HFF has them for $70 so I would assume animates would cost a bit more. Don't you have waterworld or something in hamilton? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GZ_Loach Posted May 10, 2011 Report Share Posted May 10, 2011 http://www.hollywoodfishfarm.co.nz/detail/view/hagen-power-glo-high-output-t5-46-54w/m/1009/ HFF has them for $70 so I would assume animates would cost a bit more. Don't you have waterworld or something in hamilton? World of Water only sells certain brands Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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