bulb recommendation...

[stina]

Hi ppl!
I have in my Rio180 tank two bulbs(Aqua-Glo and Power-Glo), i have also Glomat2 so i can power-up my light system... what other bulbs do you recommend for best plant grow?!
Is Life-Glo any good in planted aquaria?!?!
TIA
regards
Vedran

 

[gan]

Osram Fluora, Philips Aquarelle or just Philips TLD 965.

GAN

 

[JG]

I've used a sole Life-Glo (20w) over a 42G tank and the java fern loved it. It depends on what type of plants you'll be keeping of course, but if it's low-light, i.e., java, then I highly recommend it.

 

[aspen]

imo, aquarium- store- bought plant tank lamps are designed to make the tank look better, not necessarily to get your plants growing better. i use phillips 850's for a fraction of the cost of the store bought lamps. plant growth is good, and it is easier to re-lamp more ofter at 2.50 per lamp than 25 bucks, which i regard as highway robbery for a stinking light bulb.

rick

 

[stina]

Well, osram Fluora is rather cheap...and i can get to phillips auqacorelle...
thanx guys...

Oh yeah, well, my plants are just plain old good mix :lol:

 

[aspen]

if your fixture only takes t-12 lamps (the thicker ones) i used to use 1 warm white or gro-lux and 1 daylight lamp. that was before i started using electronic ballasts.

rick

 

[stina]

I have Rio180 and he allready have electronic ballast inside his lightning system, but bulbs are T8...

BTW one college from my local forum has made GREAT article for DIY electronic ballast... if you are interested, i would likely try to translate it...
(i am saying this cuz i didn't find anythin similiar on interenet)
regards
Vedran

 

[aspen]

there is a great number of lamps available in the t-8 size from your local electrical supplier, whatever country you are in. as i said, i like the phillips 850 lamps, and the phillips 865 are very good as well. the 850 is 5000 k, the 865 is 6500 k. a blend will give you approx 5700 k, very good lighting for plant growth. these lamps last a lot longer than their t-12 equivalants and will cost you a slight bit more than a normal cool white lamp.

if you want to translate that article, provide it in a new topic, lots of people may find it very useful. be very careful translating the technical data. technical translation is a very difficult job, and that part of the article would be the most important. if you want to submit it to me by pm to check, i am an electrician, and may be able to correct mistakes before you post it.

>>'I have Rio180 '

isn't that a powerhead??

rick

 

[stina]

No, RIO180 is model from JUWEL aquariums...

I feel kind of stupid to make an english versin of other man article, so i will ask him for his aproval first...
DIY electronic ballast is easy and with pics you will all realize that, we will be in contact.
regards

 

[JG]

It's true that those store bought bulbs are very expensive. I was fortunate enough to buy four bulbs for about $5 each (Life Glo x3, Aqua Glo x1). Probably the only reason I'm using them and not the hardware shop lights.