What light tubes to get?

[Q89]

I am planning to replace my current T8 tubes with new T8 tubes on my 450L Discus setup.

On the moment I have two white aquarium tubes(no idea what the specs are, only know they are both 40w and white)
And one marine blue(again only know that it's 40w and blue) And the last one is a red one(plant-grow, 40w and red):p

So I wanted to know what tubes must I get, What K is the best and so on?

Thanx
D!!

[boebie]

Hi Q89

Get some 6400K daylight tubes especially if you want to grow plants too.

[Henk Hugo]

Ask you light supplier for some Growlux tubes as well as 6400K tubes. Avoid the 20 000K (blue) or the 10 000K tubes as they cuase massive algea out breaks

[Q89]

So what you telling me is that I should leave the blue and get a extra white 6500K tube?

[Henk Hugo]

correct

[Singularity]

I have always used blue tubes in my tanks, i always get an algae bloom on start up, but once the tank settles down and matures a bit the algae subsides, i have never had permanent algae issues while using blue tubes.

[Q89]

So I was at the light shop, saw some T5 fixtures for 28W T5 tubes, they are not too expensive.

I was thinking of maby going for them. What do you guys think? Or must I stay with the T8?

Thanx!!
D

[Vis]

T5's are better technology and you doe get better penetration with them into the water.

[Firefly]

Sorry to hi-jack but what do you need to run T5's?

[Henk Hugo]

I have always used blue tubes in my tanks, i always get an algae bloom on start up, but once the tank settles down and matures a bit the algae subsides, i have never had permanent algae issues while using blue tubes.

i suggest you search the forum for the prof's reply on this topic....

[Vis]

Sorry to hi-jack but what do you need to run T5's?

T5 Ballast and end caps.

[Singularity]

i know he believes it is the higher k rating globes that cause algae, but i have not experienced it.

[Vis]

Yes are you guys talking high K rate blue or marine blue tubes. because I had marine blue tubes and did not struggle with algae at all.

[Singularity]

blue tubes have a k rating of 15000 +