What spectrum Power Compact bulbs for a Tetra tank?

Discussion in 'General Freshwater Information' started by CMOS, Feb 15, 2013.

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  1. CMOS

    CMOS Plankton

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    Howdy All,

    I'm converting my 45 gallon reef tank to what I'm calling an Amazon River tetra tank. For now, there will be no live plants.

    The hood I have houses 2 32W dual-bulb Power Compact bulbs. Right now each bulb is a split 460/420nM spectum, but I think this may be a bit dark for this tank, which is a full 24" deep.

    What are the thoughts on the bulb spectrum I should get?

    In addition to what I have in there now there are a few choices with regards to the split:

    6,700K/10,000K
    10,000K/460nM

    Thoughts?


    CMOS
     
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  3. FishMagnet

    FishMagnet Plankton

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    I would go lower...lower...lower. Amazon tends to be a bit murky, muddy. (I suppose depending on what area your going for) When I did my 75g amazon set up with angels/tetras I used a single flourescent strip. Just enough to keep Java Fern and Anubias alive.

    My 2 cents.
     
  4. CMOS

    CMOS Plankton

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    FM,

    Reminder that I'll have artificial plants so live plants are not a concern. I guess I'm asking what spectrum will make the fish and decor look the best - ?


    CMOS
     
  5. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    Go with the 6700k/10000k. 10000K work fine for live plants also.
     
  6. FishMagnet

    FishMagnet Plankton

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    Aye well...
    Not being a lighting expert I guess I should keep my opinion to myself BUT,

    I did exactly what your doing a few years ago. I tried using my PC fixture with a couple different bulbs. Dual actinic, and dual daylight and it just created more and more algae problems for me. Though it really lit up the tank!
    Could be it was due more to the higher nitrate levels I let the tank have and less to do with the light but when I dropped it back down to a standard fluorescent single and double bulb fixture it helped a lot. And I think I recall that the actinic bulbs promote algae more???

    The Aqua-Glo 18k fluorescent was the last bulb I used and it showed my fish and tank off fine...for me.
    I've got some old pics I could post but they don't really show how the fish look, more how the tank is lit up.
     
  7. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    The issue was the intensity of light you had. If your intensity is too high and your fertilization routine is not enough, especially CO2 injection then you have algae issues big time. I believe he should be fine with 2 PC bulbs. I had 4 on a 75 and did not have a lot of trouble with algae. I did dose aggressively with Seachem Excel though.
     
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  9. FishMagnet

    FishMagnet Plankton

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    Ahh, maybe it will work out well then, and maybe I should have worked harder to control the algae and not ditched the lighting...as it looked great.
     
  10. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    It is a tough area to get right. If you do not have an understanding on all of the parameters and their interactions then you can have troubles.