Bought my 50 gallon tank on craigslist; it came with 2 light fixtures, one burned out bulb in each.
I bought the Aqueon modular LED fixture, been using the one day white which comes with it. After 6 weeks, it is clear to me this is not enough light. I need to either add more to the fixture (you can add 2 more LED strips, either day white, colormax, or blue, mix and match as you choose depending on your needs). I have live plants and the cryptocorne *green wendtii* is losing leaves, so have to add light.
Could not find the info I needed to decide on the LED. So in frustration, I bought flourescents for the light fixtures. I took the fixtures with me, landed at Pet Supplies Plus. I now have one SunGlo in one fixture (that holds 2 tubes, only 1 in there), and one AquaGlo in the other fixture.
The tank looks much brighter!
So now I am reading what I have. Seems the SunGlo fixture is a T10, 30 watts, 36 inch. No wonder we could not get the smaller AquaGlo tube to fit, in the store. The cashier was kind enough to help me and put everything in, as I had no idea if the fixtures actually WORK. He decided I need a new starter as he could not get that tube to light. Ha haaa, now I know it is due to me picking up the wrong size. But hey, point is I LEARNED something now.
Seems the Aqua Glo fixture is a T8, 20 watts, 24 inch. Good thing I insisted he give me the packaging to bring home with me! I truly had no clue what was what re the 2 fixtures I had.
My question is, am I going to go broke on my electric bill with these 2 tubes? Should I be looking for a T5 fixture? (Pricey!) Should I figure out what I need in the LED and buy those, turning off the tubes? (I've sent off an email to Aqueon, as I could not find ANYTHING re PAR, lumens, light spectrum, for their LEDs, online anywhere including their site).
At the moment, I have all 3 lights on: the one LED, the SunGlo and the Aqua Glo.
Sorry if this is not in the proper section, I could not find a forum area for equipment discussions.
I bought the Aqueon modular LED fixture, been using the one day white which comes with it. After 6 weeks, it is clear to me this is not enough light. I need to either add more to the fixture (you can add 2 more LED strips, either day white, colormax, or blue, mix and match as you choose depending on your needs). I have live plants and the cryptocorne *green wendtii* is losing leaves, so have to add light.
Could not find the info I needed to decide on the LED. So in frustration, I bought flourescents for the light fixtures. I took the fixtures with me, landed at Pet Supplies Plus. I now have one SunGlo in one fixture (that holds 2 tubes, only 1 in there), and one AquaGlo in the other fixture.
The tank looks much brighter!
So now I am reading what I have. Seems the SunGlo fixture is a T10, 30 watts, 36 inch. No wonder we could not get the smaller AquaGlo tube to fit, in the store. The cashier was kind enough to help me and put everything in, as I had no idea if the fixtures actually WORK. He decided I need a new starter as he could not get that tube to light. Ha haaa, now I know it is due to me picking up the wrong size. But hey, point is I LEARNED something now.
Seems the Aqua Glo fixture is a T8, 20 watts, 24 inch. Good thing I insisted he give me the packaging to bring home with me! I truly had no clue what was what re the 2 fixtures I had.
My question is, am I going to go broke on my electric bill with these 2 tubes? Should I be looking for a T5 fixture? (Pricey!) Should I figure out what I need in the LED and buy those, turning off the tubes? (I've sent off an email to Aqueon, as I could not find ANYTHING re PAR, lumens, light spectrum, for their LEDs, online anywhere including their site).
At the moment, I have all 3 lights on: the one LED, the SunGlo and the Aqua Glo.
Sorry if this is not in the proper section, I could not find a forum area for equipment discussions.
