Substrate

[tom91970]

Originally Posted by ishar

As for your lights, actinic lighting is not what you want I don't think, and the wattage is still pretty low. ...It is close but it includes actinic lighting and that is no good for freshwater as far as I know

You are right, sir.

If you really want the Current fixture you can always swap out lamps. I did that because I just had to have the moon light (which I never even bother to look at).

Coralife makes some good fixtures. I have one on my 55g tank. To get enough wpg you'll need to go with the Aqualight double, which runs around $270. Or buy the Current Dual Satellite at about the same price and spend more to switch out. Current sells returns on Ebay, by the way.

[midmichman80]

Actinic are bad, but the blue ones for nighttime, bad too? What about T5 or T8 lighting. Metal halide? I would like to know all options I can have and all I shouldn't. I am doing shopping and don't have bottomless pockets, so I am looking for something cost efficient and will produce good results.

[tom91970]

The blue lunar lights are ok.

If prices are a problem than metal halides are probably out of the question. Let me rephrase that...halides are waaaaay out of the question.

There is a T5 fixture made by Marineland (T5-48 Deluxe) that is 216 watts. Two of the bulbs are actinic, though, but I guess you can switch 'em out for about $18 per bulb. I've seen it on sale recently for $200 (reg. $250). You can find some cheaper fixtures on-line but I'd rather spend a little extra so I'll get some decent reflectors.

[midmichman80]

Thanks Tom. I am guessing there is no single bulb I can put in my setup to get the results I want. Looks like I will be looking for HO, T5, or Compact setup here. Time to get the wallet out.

[midmichman80]

T8 lighting? I know everyone is pushing T5, but are T8 fixtures good. I found some shop lights, as I was looking at the DIY section on here, and found a good deal on 2x40w shop light fixtures for T8 lighting. Even if I didn't overdrive the ballast and got two of these things, it would still be putting 160 watts into my tank, just short of 2 wpg. Are T8 lights ok, can I buy the fixture and put T5 bulbs in the T8 fixture. Would I get enough light to sustain low light plants in my tank with T8 lighting?

BTW..... bought some plants today to put into my smaller tanks and hopefully cultivate some new shoots to put in my big tank, when it is ready. Purchased and Anubias var Nana, split it into three sections, two in the 55 and one in the 29. I also picked up some java moss, the guy at the LFS just gave it to me. While there I finally got my BN pleco too, for the 29g. The blood parrot is giving him a little bit of hell, but he has started cleaning the glass already, cute little guy, and I mean little!!!!