I got a light for aquarium plants for my 36g, because the lights that come in the kits usually won't keep plants alive for long.

The associate gave me an Aqueon Foramax T8 light. I've looked it up online and it sounds like it works great for plants, but it doesn't say anything about fish or inverts. I'm wondering if I should take it back and get a light that is for plants but is also suitable for livestock as well. (The Lifeglo on my 20g is for plants but says on the box that it's suitable for fish and inverts as well.)

Anyone use this light before, or have any info' on it? Should I take it back and get a different light?

Thanks.

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20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981
36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981

When is a light not suitable for fish or inverts? I think you did right. Buy the light based on plants, the occupants won't care one way or the other.

Hint: fish don't like light. If you want plant growth, a 6500-6700k bulb will do best, as it's closest to natural sunlight. Other than that, the light doesn't matter much, it's for display purposes. If you don't have live plants, it's reccomended that you don't have hte light on when it's not being viewed, ie. at work, sleeping, etc. to reduce the irritation of the fish.

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125gal - 10" bala, 10" irridescent, 6 gourami's, 2 blood parrots, 1 common pleco, 1 Blue Lobster, & 1 Morimo Ball - Rena XP3
75gal - 5 balas, 2 firemouths, 2 albino oscars, 1 common pleco, 6" firemouth - Rena XP3

Good morning Holly...

When I shop for tank lights, I look for the K (Kelvin) rating. A Kelvin rating of between 6500 and 6700 is recommended for most aquatic plants, because of the light blue color of the light. I keep plants that require low to moderate light, so one T8 or T12 is all I need. I believe the T means the light is a tube. The number after, is the size of the tube in 12ths of an inch. A T8 will shine a little brighter over a smaller area than a T12. I think I'm right on this, but it would be good to get some other more light savvy opinions.

It would be good to research the plants you have to know their specific lighting requirements and buy the lights accordingly.

B

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Low Tech Water Building Keeper

The way it was explained to me, is that the reason to go with T5 or T8 is size constraints and energy efficiency. ie. a 50w T5 provides more light than a 50w T12. Thus, you could get say a 30w T5 and get the same light as a 50w T12, and save on electricity. It would only take you 30-40 years to make up the difference for what you paid for a T5 setup vs a T12 setup, as they're much more expensive. Another consideration is space. I have T5's over my 75g, 4 bulbs and it takes up about 6". I have T12's over my 125g, though, 4 of them, and they take up significantly more space, about 12-14" deep. I can easily open my glass hood over my 75g, but my 125g, I have to remove the lights to open the hood since there's less room to work with.

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125gal - 10" bala, 10" irridescent, 6 gourami's, 2 blood parrots, 1 common pleco, 1 Blue Lobster, & 1 Morimo Ball - Rena XP3
75gal - 5 balas, 2 firemouths, 2 albino oscars, 1 common pleco, 6" firemouth - Rena XP3

You should move up to T5HO. With good reflectors, about 4 times the rated wattage is output. More light for your money and less electricity.

They are T5HO, and have good reflectors. When I tilt them up, i have to look away they're so bright. It's like staring at the sun.

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125gal - 10" bala, 10" irridescent, 6 gourami's, 2 blood parrots, 1 common pleco, 1 Blue Lobster, & 1 Morimo Ball - Rena XP3
75gal - 5 balas, 2 firemouths, 2 albino oscars, 1 common pleco, 6" firemouth - Rena XP3

Alrighty. All the responses there answered my question, lol. Thanks.

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20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981
36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981

So, T5HO for my 60g tall when I plant it? It is 24 inches tall and 48 inches long. Wow, I just flipped over to see how much that would cost. About 500 bucks, all together. Man, that's a lot to have a planted tank.

What other options do I have?

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60g tall, all artificial plants, Rainbow tank; 55g for African Cichlids. 20g long for fry; 20g hex, 2 black Angels at my desk; 10g planted, with 50 Molly fry; 10 gal, 2x 13w cfl lightning, planted; 2g hex for "Buddy the Betta"; Wanting a 200g +, MTS getting bad.

What?? You're losing me. 48" wide tank....looking from $100-$350. Roughly. I paid $325 for a custom 48" light from Catalina Aquariums. I have 8-9" of separation between my tubes (better spread of the light). You don't need anymore than 2-tube/54W.

I paid $130 for my lights, dual T5HO, dual actinic, and 4 moonlight led's. Ebay is your friend.

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125gal - 10" bala, 10" irridescent, 6 gourami's, 2 blood parrots, 1 common pleco, 1 Blue Lobster, & 1 Morimo Ball - Rena XP3
75gal - 5 balas, 2 firemouths, 2 albino oscars, 1 common pleco, 6" firemouth - Rena XP3

If you're trying to grow plants...ditch the actinic.

I have a t5ho 36" for my planted tank from my lfs I only paid $65...

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I heard he once packed a bong load that lasted for 8 days and 8 nights

Hello ReStart...

I think you're getting excited a little early in the process. Before you start pulling out your wallet, it might be a good idea spending a little time researching your plants instead of spending your hard earned money.

I can only give me as an example. Several years ago, I decided to go with more heavily planted tanks and with plants that would do well in low to moderate light. There's a long list of them that will do well in lighting you can get at the local hardware store for less than $10.00 per tube. In fact, you can set up a new 55G tank complete for what some people pay for lighting alone.

It all boils down to what you want and how much you want to spend. If you spend time on your homework, you can definitely spend less from your wallet.

B

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Low Tech Water Building Keeper

I think the "t" is the diameter in 1/8s of an inch.

t8 1", t-12 1 1/2" t5 5/8 " and so on.

as light travels through water the reds are filtered out. by 30' the light is basically blue (higher kelvin values). So actinics give you the light at deaper water levels. So are used form more deap water type corals.

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fw leiden since 1979, fo salt since 1979, mixed reef 55g 2002-2009. Strong emphasis on the tank taking care of itself. Balanced with plant life, no water changes, tap water, no filters in FW. Only dosing calcium, alk, mag in marine reef tanks. http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/my-...ods-26410.html
recent tanks (till 2009) 7 years- 10g FW leiden 7 yrs, 55g mixed reef 7, 2 yrs, 20g FW leiden, 10 g fw leiden , 29g mixed reef, current tank 55g leiden