Which Tube .from This Bunch ?

[donkey]

Hi guys
been looking around at diffrent tubes . what would you pick out of this bunch there all 48in T8s

interpet daylight plus Fluorescent Tube
Interpet Tri Plus Fluorescent Tube
Arcadia Original Tropical Lamp
Arcadia Freshwater Lamp

so many to pick from so what would give me the best for plants and also making the fish look good .

 

[JamieH]

Hi guys
been looking around at diffrent tubes . what would you pick out of this bunch there all 48in T8s

interpet daylight plus Fluorescent Tube
Interpet Tri Plus Fluorescent Tube
Arcadia Original Tropical Lamp
Arcadia Freshwater Lamp

so many to pick from so what would give me the best for plants and also making the fish look good .

I really like triplus... it really brings out greens and reds.

daylight is quite cold white

I've found all arcadia tubes ####e... and took the last two back because they were so dull

 

[Dave Spencer]

I have no experience of any lights other than Interpet, but I find them to be first class.

 

[JamesC]

I use 2x Interpet TriPlus and 2 Arcadia Freshwater which I find works well for me. The TriPlus are purple and Freshwater are white. Haven't tried the Interpet Daylight Plus tubes yet but they look promising.

Don't be fooled by thinking that just because a tube looks dimmer it has a lower light output. Our eyes are a lot more sensitive to the green part of the spectrum rather than the blue and red so all the tubes around 6500k will appear brighter.

James

 

[donkey]

at the moment i am running some T5 Plant Pro tubes .but im not happy with the way they look .my fish kinda look washed out if u know what i mean

 

[SuperColey1]

at the moment i am running some T5 Plant Pro tubes .but im not happy with the way they look .my fish kinda look washed out if u know what i mean

I have 1 of each Arcadias, but am going for 1 of each interpet next time on advice I have taken from here.

 

[schnad]

Hi,
why so expensive? I use simple Osram/ Phillips tubes with colour code 865 and 840. My plants grow like weed and I pay a fraction of what those tubes cost.
Just a tip...

Oh, before i forget...I use the 865 in the front and the 840 in the back and the fish look "cool". It depends how many tubes you got in your hood, you can use 2 and 2 or 2 865 in the front and one 840 in the back.

 

[JamesC]

I looked into using them but could only find them in 36" and 48". As I use 42" tubes I have to stick to the standard aquarium tubes otherwise I would use them. But if anyone knows better then please tell me.

James

 

[SuperColey1]

I notice the reply about Arcadias being dull. I disagree with this.

My tank had the original SunGlo and AquaGlo Hagen bulbs in it when I bought it.

I changed 1 to an Arcadia Tropical and it was like WOW look at the colours and the brightness.

Then GF said a Freshwater would complement it for plant growth, so I bought the Freshwater and also added reflectors for both, and it was like WOW how bright can you get. They are darned bright and good quality IMO (Based on a 125Ltr being filled with 112Ltrs 1 inch from top only took me to 1.4WPG but was nice and bright visually)

Alas I am on a mission to blind myself and am now gonna buy an Interpet twin starter for 2x55W T5 twin compact (from AquaEssentials) and Interpet T5 Bulbs Triplus and Daylight Plus which will leave me with 4.2WPG (From Surrey Pet Supplies) both have online shops.

As a gauge for pricing. There is an Interpet twin starter with 2 marine T5 55W bulbs included (second hand) on ebay. 1 day to go price this morning was £61!!!!

Twin starter from AquaEssentials 2x55w is £38.99 (free delivery because I am getting some Ferts aswell)
Bulbs from Surrey Pet Supplies are £7.85 each (£4.95 delivery)
Total £59.64

LMAO £61.99 (plus a crazy price battle in this the last day) for a secondhand unit with old bulbs. I think I'd rather pay less for new gear.

Have a look at the bulb prices on Surrey Pet Supplies Website, and if anyone can find even cheaper websites TELL ME PLEASE.

 

[nry]

I believe a certain George Farmer passed very favourable comments on the interpet daylight plus in a magazine a while ago if memory serves. These are 4-peak tubes whereas the tri-plus and possibly others only have 3 peaks in the light spectrum they output. Good for plants and aesthetics and I certainly like the 18" one of these tubes I have sitting above my 12" cube.

 

[George Farmer]

A mix of Interpet Daylight Plus and Triplus is the best I've used so far.

Daylight Plus is awesome for greens. Triplus good for highlighting reds and blues.

 

[donkey]

A mix of Interpet Daylight Plus and Triplus is the best I've used so far.

Daylight Plus is awesome for greens. Triplus good for highlighting reds and blues.

think i might try one of each then .thanks guys

 

[schnad]

So Triplus is good for Neons and Cardinals???
In what order have you got your tubes in the tank George? Triplus in the front or back?