lighting

[ryan0292002ca]

I have a 29 Gallon with a DIY hood with the capacity for 5
20 Watt fluorescent bulbs. I was wondering which ones and how many of each I should get for a reef. my LFS only sells lights from Hagen so they have marine glo actinics, power glo at 18 000K, aqua glo at 18 000K and life glo at 6700K thanks

 

[Scooterman]

Well first welcome, 29g and 5 20w lights sounds pretty good for fluorescent, I would go with a mixture to 10k, 6.7k two of each & that 18k to try and get good color & punch for the buck.

 

[ryan0292002ca]

thanks for the advice, this forum has been great for that, it's helped me alot.
do I not need any actinics? and also, my LFS doesn't sell any 10 000k, they just have actinics, 18 000K and actinics. Northern Ontario, Canada, doesn't get much for supplies, LOL, I look to the internet for most of them.

 

[Scooterman]

It can be difficult to tell what they mean by 18k actinics but yes I'd get two of those and three of the 6.7k bulbs, that would give you a good color with the best of both worlds.

 

[ryan0292002ca]

thanks for the advice, this forum has been great for that, it's helped me alot.
do I not need any actinics? and also, my LFS doesn't sell any 10 000k, they just have actinics, 18 000K and actinics. Northern Ontario, Canada, doesn't get much for supplies, LOL, I look to the internet for most of them.

 

[Scooterman]

Yes I'd say you do need actinic, I'd have to think that a varying range may work well for you, I'm not quite familiar with that brand or ranges for fluorescent bulbs. Maybe see if your LFS can actually show you what he is using & recommends being that they sell them, most probably they also use them. The only concern I'd have is appearances & as much output you can get at this point, this is why I'd ask your supplier. Most people like different looks, this is one of the main reasons of so much color ranges, otherwise we all would use a USHO 6.5k MH bulb with a high Par, which looks yellowish to most viewers. Maybe we can get a few more post with people using NO fluorescents, to help you decide.

 

[ryan0292002ca]

thanks for the advice, as far as appearance goes, I don't like the yellow/white colors, unless thats what's used to enhance the fishes colors. I like the blue that the actinics give off, and also the blueish purple that the 18 000K's give off, so is a 6700K full spectrum bulb neccessary for a reef aquarium or can I go with the actinics and the 18 000K's which are mostly blue,yellow and green spectrum with little red and orange. As for my LFS using these bulbs, it's funny that they sell only them, but they use coralife bulbs, why they dont stock them is beyond me, LOL, also, they sell, live rock, and it all looks terrible, however, they ones in their display tank look great, but of course their not for sale, display tank only, LOL, I don't get it.

 

[Scooterman]

I think if you go with what you said, you should be ok. Unless you want to order online, which I suggest you try and find a few good providers, to help you get what you want & probably at a better price.