Lighting Q?

I have just regular 4 foot bulbs in my tanks now, the kind you get from a grocerie store. They were called "kitchen & bath".

I want to get bulbs that will be better for my tank. Its looking kind of orange.

- It is a 4 foot fixture. thats 48", 121.9 cm for u metric people.
- Tank is moderately planted. java fern, swords, and vals. and moss.
- oh and its got a really bad algae bloom going!

Better bulbs are a must but, i have little $$$. so the cheapest/best will be prefered?

bUcky said:

I have just regular 4 foot bulbs in my tanks now, the kind you get from a grocerie store. They were called "kitchen & bath".

I want to get bulbs that will be better for my tank. Its looking kind of orange.

- It is a 4 foot fixture. thats 48", 121.9 cm for u metric people.
- Tank is moderately planted. java fern, swords, and vals. and moss.
- oh and its got a really bad algae bloom going!

Better bulbs are a must but, i have little $$$. so the cheapest/best will be prefered?

Click to expand...

I would add 1 "warm white" bulb and one "cool white", and two 3700k "natural daylight" bulbs; and that is assuming your tank is not too deep...These are all cheep bulbs

I would seriously consider adding co2 to the tank if you are not already.

How big is your tank?

Also, read Zigs estimative index that is pinned above; using it I have completly eliminated my algae problems.

I see you have a 55g and 70g, if you are asking about your 70g I I would add "cool white" white bulbs and one of the other two. And if you have a glass top I would keep it very very clean.

well it is the 55g. but i only have places for 2 bulbs. imade the hood myself and i spent only 20$ on it. i mean its not the most professional but it works for me. my roommate is sleeping on the coutch so i will get more pics tomorow. so what 2 bulbs will make it look brighter?

..

adding two bulbs will double the wattage and help the aquarium look brighter as well as benefiting your plants. I'm not sure what wattage the bulbs will be, but you may have to end up adding CO2.

there 40 watts each. and the plants are staing healthy for now. maybe a diy co2 will help. maybe 2?

bUcky said:

there 40 watts each. and the plants are staing healthy for now. maybe a diy co2 will help. maybe 2?

Click to expand...

I would add one cool white bulb and one warm white(these are cheep, and not much different that what you already have but it is better), and add co2. I would replace cheep bulbs every 6-8 months. And read Zigs EI it is very good. You dont even need to read it all just do this (as close as you can):
CO2 at 30ppm
NO3 - 5-30ppm
PO4 - 1-2ppm
K - 10-30ppm
Fe - 0.2-0.5ppm
GH - 3 degrees or higher

You can read the EI to get more.

Mine is

CO2 at 18ppm
NO3 - 8-12ppm
PO4 - 0.6-1.2ppm
K - 8-17ppm
Fe - 0.15-0.25ppm
GH - 160 degrees
3 wpg 6700k and 10000k

And my plants grow fast with no algae.

Alright new question! ive been thinking.

I have a 70 watt hid hps and 2 - 65 watt compact cfls. i dont know the specs on the cfl ither. but im going to find out.

the hps has a remote balast so it wouldnt be to hot if i ventilated the hood, with computer fans. would the hps or the 2 cfls work for a planted tank?

130 watts of cfl would make me at almost 3 wpg? im looking at co2 injection now and im starting to really want to do a real planted tank. my 55 gal would be perfect.

thanks alot for the help!


bucky

ok the cfls specs are...

watts 65
lumens 4550
color temp 6500

would these be better than the 2 40 watt lights?