Light Upgrade For Rio 180

[loughran1979]

I am upgrading the lights on my Rio 180 to the Arcadia I-Bar T5. Just want to know if there are any other light options for it besides the Plant Growers and the two Marine bulbs.

Can i use the white marine in my tank or will it not give the correct light for a plantted tank ? I can use two of the plant growers bulbs but will they bring the colour of the fish out.

Any suggestions ? Does someone have the i bar with two Plant Growers and does it work well ?

Can i sources bulbs from somewhere else. - 34 inch 36watts T5 - and if so what should i be looking at.

Help would be appreciated
Thanks Dave

 

[The-Wolf]

hi
I have found that the arcadia freshwater lamp(FWL) in combination with their original tropical lamp (OTL)
has a fantastic lighting effect.
the FWL highlights the greens of plants and the OTL aids photosyntheses and will bring out the reds and blues of your fish.

HTH

 

[loughran1979]

Thanks but the only acradia T5's are the Marine white , blue ( SW) and the Plant growers (FW). I had there original in for a day but the RIO Lihgting unit stopped working. I used it to replace the one of the original bulbs that had blown. Very disapointed with the short life span of the lighting unit thats why im upgrading.
I was hoping to be able to mix and match lighting for a spacific look as you have suggested but can't as they at T8's

I have now orderd two of the T5 Plant Growers as i need to get the lights up and running ASAP. I have a desk lamp pointed into the side of the tank with all the plants in one corner. Im sure glad i left them potted.

The lamps will only arrive in four days time so i guess i will have to see what it looks like then. I just thought someone who already has an I Bar T5 would be able to tell me if i had any other options for the T5 lamps than what Arcadia supply.