Needed New Flourescent Lighting Tube

[mooey65]

I need new bulbs for my 620T as one of them has gone its only flicks on then off the other one should be due replacing soon its 3years old.

I do not know which one is the best to go for from HERE

I would like something that is good for my plants and java moss.

Thanks Martin

 

[mooey65]

Which ones do I go for or can I mix too?

1. PL18W Triphosphor 7.1K Fluorescent Tube for AquaStyle 620
2. PL18W Marine Blue 12K fluorescent Tube for AquaStyle 620
3. PL18W Bio-Lux 14K fluorescent Tube for AquaStyle 620
4. PL18W Triphoshor / Bio-Lux Mix 7.1K / 14K Tube for AquaStyle 620
5. PL18W Triphoshor / Marine Blue Mix 7.1K / 12K Tube AquaStyle 620

 

[Truck]

go for the first one, because it is as close to the colour temp of the sun

 

[mooey65]

go for the first one, because it is as close to the colour temp of the sun

Its a 14k one not better than a 7.1k?

 

[WoodenChair]

Its not a matter of one being better then the other.

Light fills different spectrums as we all learned in high school. the visable light spectrum goes a little something like this:

So when your seeing numbers like "5100K" and 7200 10K "daylights" 14k and 20k super daylights ect ect. All these numbers just tell you which part of the spectrum they operate at.

For a good tank you want to maximize on your spectrum by using something from the high end and the cool end.


What i REALLY want to know is what spectrum of light these hyped up "Colormax" bulbs from coralife.

I suppose i can throw in a more... layman version, to help bridge any gaps.

 

[SuperColey1]

If its fro freshwater planted then go for anything in the 4000 - 10000K range because these will look better to your eye. Plants will grow perfectly well under any light in this range so its a personal coice of how you like your tank to look.

Plants grow light are usually in the 4-5000K range and look pink. Clever marketing but not many of us use them as we don't like the pink colour

If it is for reef then you need the blue coloured ones.

I prefer the 5500 - 6500K range as it is close to a natural white.

I voted for the first too because it is closer to a natural colour.

No need to buy special tubes with the world's rarest most expensive ink used to write the word AQUARIUM on them. Just buy the same tube in a K rating you like from your hardware store for half the price or less. It is the endcap/starter combo that is the splashproof part!! The bulbs are the same (apart from that magic ink)

AC

 

[mooey65]

OK thanks people Iv just tuck one of the bulbs out is the 18W 7.1K / 14K one I will probably just go for the same its just there are so many posts about lighting I wanted to get it right.
Its a freshwater planted tank 130L btw.

 

[WoodenChair]

Glad to help