Author Topic: Light Tubes? (Read 7627 times) 9 replies

Resa · « **on:** March 13, 2014, 10:27:34 AM »

Hi Guys,
Yesterday, the light on my tank began flickering at an alarming rate, so I turned it off, fearing for my fishies sanity

Stupidly, I didn't have a spare in the cupboard, (won't make that mistake again), so about to set off to large(ish) town for a replacement when a phonecall came to tell us that our grand-daughter (she's 9) had been involved in an accident and been hit by a car and was being transferred to another hospital

Several massive meltdowns later, and with me about to book the next flight back to the UK....can't remember if I've mentioned it before...probably not, but I DON'T DO FLYING!!! It completely terrifies me, and yeah, I've tried all the usual remedies..trust me, they don't work! Anyway, as usual, I digress, after phoning the hospital, we found out that she had had an accident, but at school and had fallen and broken her wrist...phew! Not that I wish her any pain at all of course, but so much preferable to our worst imaginings. So, it seems that chinese whispers is still flourishing even in these days of easy communication

Anyway, back to the point, because of all this it was a quick dash later to a not so big town, where choice of tube was somewhat limited.
The light that I had is a SUN-GLO T8 Daylight Lamp, but the nearest I could get to it is an AQUA-GLO T8 fish colour-enhancing lamp. Now, apart from the obvious in that it is not so bright as the original....though I have to admit, it does make the fish colours really zing, it does say on the pack 'recommended in combination with POWER-GLO or LIFE-GLO'. Now is that recommended because the company wants to sell more tubes, or is that tube alone not enough? If it's the latter then I will have to get to another FS and buy the original, as there is only fitting for one tube in my tank.

Any advice very welcome...thanks guys.

Sue · « **Reply #1 on:** March 13, 2014, 11:01:23 AM »

People do seem to enjoy exaggerating things without thinking they might be worrying other people $:-\$

Sun-glo, aqua-glo etc are made by Hagen. The difference is the wavelength of light they emit. According to Hagen:
Aqua-glo
generates an ideal fish colour-enhancing spectrum and delivers a strong photosynthetic range of light very capable of stimulating vigorous plant growth. This normal output bulb has a colour temperature of 18000K

Sun-glo
generates a natural-looking daylight spectrum with a refreshing natural white light for a balanced and natural look to any aquarium. Sun-GLO is an excellent aquarium bulb for emitting a warm white light that is most suited to freshwater community setups. This normal output bulb has a colour temperature of 4200K

Life-glo
is a premium, full-spectrum light that delivers an intense and balanced natural white light, closely mimicking daylight and producing accurate colour rendering. It is ideal for planted fresh and saltwater aquariums. This fluorescent bulb features a premium tri-phosphor formulation with a high CRI value for both accurate aquarium viewing and superb photosynthetic support of plants, corals and other invertebrates. This normal output bulb with a colour temperature of 6700K

Flora-glo
delivers a strong photosynthetic spectrum that is ideal for planted aquariums and terrariums. With a color temperature of 2800K, this normal output fluorescent bulb is strongly recommended for use in planted aquariums to ensure a broad red and blue spectral presence, which is ideal for stimulating strong plant growth.

They also make a marine-glo and power-glo, which is for marine fish and Rift Lake cichlids, which I haven't bothered with.

When you have fitments for two tubes in a tank, most manufacturers recommend one tube for plant growth and one for 'enhancing the fish colours' which I find usually makes the fish all go pink.
At the moment, it doesn't really matter which tube you have; having one that isn't quite right is better than none at all.

Steve is the best person to advise on which tube, he knows which wavelengths are best for what. If you can tell us if you have live plants, what kind and how many, that would help.

Resa · « **Reply #2 on:** March 13, 2014, 11:28:02 AM »

Thanks Sue,
Yes, I have loads of live plants....it's like a jungle in there

As to what types, I am afraid I haven't really bothered too much identifying them. I know I have a crypto and a java fern but after that I just sort of waited to see what would grow and survive

I think I also have one of those polyspernum thingys that Colin mentions. I really should get my act together....I can tell you the name of any garden/houseplant, I'll have to stretch my knowledge to aqua stuff too.
I'll wait and see what that lovely chap Steve has to say about it then.

ColinB · « **Reply #3 on:** March 13, 2014, 11:40:09 AM »

Hiya Resa

I'm really glad to hear your grand-daughter has 'only' broken her wrist. That must've been an awful time for you.

As for lighting..... I'm not too much help. CRI is the Colour Rendition Index where 100=natural sunlight. You want to try and get the CRI of an aquarium light in the 90s.

The temperature is the range of colour wavelenths of light given out. The lower the temperature, the redder the light.... the higher, the blue-er.

A photographer's 'daylight' bulb will be 7000K

When buying domestic bulbs you get a code..... so the only replacemnt bulb I can find for my tank is quoted as 865 Daylight White, where the 8 means its CRI is in the 80s, and the 65 means its temperature is 6500K.

This might be no help whatsoever.... you might find it mildly interesting...... but my bread loaf I was baking has collapsed 'cos I forgot to close the oven door, and I'm putting off painting the lounge!

Richard W · « **Reply #4 on:** March 13, 2014, 12:15:37 PM »

I have lights of all sorts in my tanks, mainly because I bought all the tanks second hand and in many cases I have used the lights they came with. I can't see the slightest difference between plant growth in any of them. Certainly the alleged "improved plant growth" ones don't seem to have any effect. I have been buying Philips daylight (6500K) lights off the internet for about a quarter of the price that so-called "aquarium" lights cost and they are fine, colours OK, plants and fish look good and plants grow well. I'm very suspicious of anything which claims to be "aquarium" special as it just seems to be an excuse to charge a lot more for ordinary products. If you are going in for aquascaping you might need special lights, but for general common plants I wouldn't bother.

Today I saw a penguin chasing a zebra ................. just close your eyes and visualise it.

Resa · « **Reply #5 on:** March 13, 2014, 12:21:29 PM »

Quote from: Richard W on March 13, 2014, 12:15:37 PM

Today I saw a penguin chasing a zebra ................. just close your eyes and visualise it.

Did you have 'mushrooms' for breakfast

Sue · « **Reply #6 on:** March 13, 2014, 12:26:33 PM »

Or does he have a tank with a certain tetra and some danios

Resa · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2014, 12:37:49 PM »

Thanks Colin...yes, it was very scary for a while.

I will study that info later when I have time to absorb it....am fairly brain dead today

What did you mention about your bread loaf for

Now I NEED homemade bread and I haven't time to make some today

I made some hot cross buns last week....I LOVE them!
Be a good boy and go and paint the lounge....otherwise Mrs.B will get you when she gets home

ColinB · « **Reply #8 on:** March 13, 2014, 12:46:52 PM »

Quote from: Richard W on March 13, 2014, 12:15:37 PM

Today I saw a penguin chasing a zebra ................. just close your eyes and visualise it.

Best I can come up with.....

OK..... that bit of the lounge is done..... and the bread's toast!

SteveS · « **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2014, 12:50:28 PM »

Hi Resa. Richard W has it just about right. First, don't go to an aquarium stockist for a light, the specialist lights are just ordinary lights with different writing on them and £10 (€12.50) on the price tag. Look for a "daylight" tube with a colour temperature of 6500K. like this for £2.22 Obviously, it will help to find a froggy supplier. An equivalent tube at the hokey-cokey aquarium emporium was on offer at £10.49.

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Light Tubes?

Light Tubes?

Author Topic: Light Tubes? (Read 7627 times) 9 replies

Resa

Light Tubes?

Sue

Re: Light Tubes?

Resa

Re: Light Tubes?

ColinB

Re: Light Tubes?

Richard W

Re: Light Tubes?

Resa

Re: Light Tubes?

Sue

Re: Light Tubes?

Resa

Re: Light Tubes?

ColinB

Re: Light Tubes?

SteveS

Re: Light Tubes?

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