BEST LIGHTS FOR 4 BULB T5?- PLANTS- CICHLIDS

[rcombs]

It is time to change my bulbs in my light fixture. It has been a year, I should have done this a few months ago. What would be the best mixture for plant growth in a cichlid tank. For plants, I have Java Fern, Bacopa Amplexicaulis Caroliniana, and Anubias barteri var "Nana Narrow Leaf." I was thinking 2 (10,000) k, 1 Actinic  460nm, 1 freshwater pink. Also best place to order from?

[fishman]

What kind of bulbs did you have before?  Where the plants growing?  Anubias sp. and java fern do not require a lot of light.  How deep is your tank?  Are you currently running T 5 or T 8?

It is time to change my bulbs in my light fixture. It has been a year, I should have done this a few months ago. What would be the best mixture for plant growth in a cichlid tank. For plants, I have Java Fern, Bacopa Amplexicaulis Caroliniana, and Anubias barteri var "Nana Narrow Leaf." I was thinking 2 (10,000) k, 1 Actinic  460nm, 1 freshwater pink. Also best place to order from?

[rcombs]

Current T5. I had bulbs that grew my corals on my salt water tank. tank is about 20" deep. Fixture sits 6 inches above the water. I have (2) 10,000k and (2) 460nm blue actinic. Coralife brand. So should I be ok with these bulbs a year later, they work and light just fine to the eye. I don't have a par-meter to check spectrum.

[fishman]

For your low light plants I would use on 6700 and on 10,000.  If your plants are doing ok and maybe some growth I would let them go for a while.  Your fixture will kick out too much light for your plants and you will have an alge problem.  I  would consider going to a LED fixxture and save on your electric bill.  There are units out there that you can add lights to.  Consider how much for new light bulbs as opposed to a new fixture.  Take a look at Ken's site.  Free shipping over 75.  The price of a fixture.

[linuxrulesusa]

I agree with Fishman.  I would be hesitant about 10000K and especialy not actinic.  I got an actinic bulb free with a fixture and tried that for a while and got brown algae like crazy over a 40 breeder; that was with a single bulb T8 fixture.

[rcombs]

This is my tank at work, so electric bill is not my issue lol. So go with 4 6500K would be best bet?

[linuxrulesusa]

This is my tank at work, so electric bill is not my issue lol. So go with 4 6500K would be best bet?

I still think that might be too much light but I don't have a ton of experience with planted tanks, so I can't answer that 100%. 

I think you'd be better off with the 4x 6500/6700K vs. your current, though.

[atmagoulick]

It is time to change my bulbs in my light fixture. It has been a year, I should have done this a few months ago. What would be the best mixture for plant growth in a cichlid tank. For plants, I have Java Fern, Bacopa Amplexicaulis Caroliniana, and Anubias barteri var "Nana Narrow Leaf." I was thinking 2 (10,000) k, 1 Actinic  460nm, 1 freshwater pink. Also best place to order from?

They will all grow plants, but I have seen the best results with 10,000k.  I would go with all 4 10,000k.  I have a 20,000k metal hallide and the fluorescent tank with the 10,000k bulbs does better.  The fish prefer one metal hallide bulb, because it cast shadows in the tank.  They can hide, but the plants grow better with 4 10,000k bulbs.  You can buy coralife 10,000k on Amazon for about $13.00 a bulb.

[Ogre44]

For plant growth you want around 6500k for color temperature.
You might have a problem with 4 T5 bulbs giving out way more energy than your plants can use without supplemental CO2 though.

[FIUPanther]

I agree with four bulbs being too much light if you're not heavily planted and running dirt or co2. If you do find you have too much light or an algae problem then floaters are your friend; frogbit, giant salvinia, or you can float some wisteria. Duckweed might clog up your filters and be a pain overall.

The floaters should out compete that algae if you go heavy with them and block out some light.

[greg y]

What size bulbs and reg or high output fixture?
I have a non ho 48" colormax you can have if it helps any

[LanaK]

Which site were you referring to when you said Ken's site for LED bulbs?  I am replacing some broken fixtures and wanted to go LED, but wasn't sure a good place to get them and what is enough for my heavily planted tanks.

[atmagoulick]

For plant growth you want around 6500k for color temperature.
You might have a problem with 4 T5 bulbs giving out way more energy than your plants can use without supplemental CO2 though.

The CO2 is debatable on results, it might help.  CO2 does lower the pH.

[Ogre44]

With 4 T5 tubes you'll need CO2 if you want to avoid and algae garden.
http://www.barrreport.com/forum.php

[rcombs]

I would like to experiment with CO2. How do I regulate what I need in a 40 gallon. I heard a drop checker to check CO2 levels. Seen lots of DIY CO2 with yeast and sugar. Thinking of doing this, but not to sure.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHy4CtmnzeA