Brian_T23

im planning on getting new lights for my aquarium and im kind of a noob at this..
i currently have an Aquaglow flourecent bulb 18"/47.47cm 15W in my 10 gal aquarium. im thinking about changing my lighting to a Coralife 50/50 Fluorescent Lamp -18" (15 Watt) is that good?

what should i look out for when im buying new lighting?
is 50/50 better than what i have now?

second Question:
since i have a flurecnt light (tube kind) is it possible to switch to
a Coralife Mini Compact 50/50 Lamp 20 Watt having 2 and putting 1 on each side making my aquarium having a total of 20W?

diablocanine

If part of the 50/50 bulb is actinic, then yes that is bad. No need for actinics in a planted tank.

Look at these kits, the 2x13 watt will run you $30 plus shipping:

http://www.ahsupply.com/twox.htm

Two bulbs will run you $12 plus shipping.

http://www.ahsupply.com/bulbs.htm

IMO, you cannot purchase better lighting elsewhere.....DC

Brian_T23

my uncle who purchased this 50/50 lightbulb got great results after getting that.. im just wondering if this light actually promots some kind of bacterial growth whitch benefits the plants? is it possible?

rachpreach

ah supply is the best!! Kinda expensive but you get your money's worth. Trust me I try to save money every where i go and i actually did because you get ALL of you money's worth with ah supply's reflectors and their bulbs are good quality too.

pitabread

Actinic lighting (i.e. what you find on a 50/50 bulb) is designed to emit a very narrow spectrum of blue lighting. It is mainly designed for use with corals in reef tanks and is not as ideal for plants. For plants, you should look for a bulb with a spectral outputs in both the blue and red spectrum.

rachpreach

yeah the 6700-10000K range is good. 6700K will give you a more greenish tint and 10,000K will give a more crisp blue tint. I personally like the 10,000K bulbs. Thats what I use.