Light Tubes?

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.

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!

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

Did you have 'mushrooms' for breakfast

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

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.