Lighting - advice please

[gra72]

Hi,

Can anyone give me advice please? I'm about to set up a 600mm cube tank. It came with a 15W 18-inch tube in it, but the colour seems very blue-green. I'm looking to replace it, but what type of tube should I go for (in terms of colour spectrum)? I'm thinking about setting up the tank for tetras and community fish, with a sand substrate and lots of plants. What type of tube would be best for showing up the fish and helping the plants to grow?

I have an Aquaglow in one of my other tanks, this seems much more pleasing to look at.

Thanks,

Gra

 

[Bol]

Most plant people will say that 6700 Kelvin bulbs do nicely for plants. Also, many people rave about the GE 9325's, but I don't think those are available (as normal output bulbs) in lengths of less than 36".

However, since you mention "lots of plants", I feel I should mention that I don't think you'll enjoy the results of only having one normal output tube over a tank that size. You may want to research Compact Fluorescent lights.

 

[phishphood]

I have aquaglos in 2 of my tanks and what I thinks is a similar version of a sunglo in my other tank (it came with it), maybe the two paired together would give a nice effect, as imo the aquaglos alone give an unnatural light and don't seem to promote plant growth as well as the sunglo, so maybe the two together would create a more natural light, show off you fish colours (because of the aquaglo) and enhance plant growth (sunglo). That's what I'd do if I could afford to but another power box thingy for my bigger tank.