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View Full Version : which bulb?


pistonfister
12-08-2002, 04:02 PM
I am going to upgrade the standard florecent bulb on my 30 gallon to one that promotes plant growth. I have a sword plant and would like to know what people recomend. I was looking at the ones such as flora sun reef sun tropic sun ect. Please help with some recomendations. Thanks :idea:
SGypsyMermaid
12-09-2002, 03:34 AM
i don't think that there is much difference between the different brands of bulbs.
pistonfister
12-09-2002, 06:34 AM
So you think as long as I get a bulb designed for plants I would be ok?
SGypsyMermaid
12-09-2002, 03:26 PM
even the bulbs that say that they are designed for plants will not help you if your plant needs high light levels--the so-called 'plant' bulbs are the same wattage as regular fluorescent bulbs. for plants with high light level requirements, you will need to upgrade your entire lighting system to compact fluorescents or metal halides. however, i grow some types of swordplants under regular fluorescent lights in tanks that are not too deep.
pistonfister
12-10-2002, 08:02 AM
The plants that are in the tank have been growing with the standard florecent bulb. I am hoping not to spend to much on lighting for this tank. Even though the wattage is the same the plant bulbs do offer a better spectrum for the plants right? I think that is really what I need to know. Also I know that you can get some power compacts at home improvement stores do these have any benifit?
SGypsyMermaid
12-10-2002, 08:24 AM
[quote:6cac17db7e]Even though the wattage is the same the plant bulbs do
offer a better spectrum for the plants right? I think that is really what I need to know. Also I know
that you can get some power compacts at home improvement stores do these have any benifit?[/quote:6cac17db7e]

yes, supposedly the spectrum is better. i don't know anything about the home improvement power compacts. scotty might know.
pistonfister
12-10-2002, 09:02 AM
For the cost of the bulb I think its worth a shot. I will buy one and leave some feedback in a month or so on it.
SGypsyMermaid
12-10-2002, 09:39 AM
I think that you'll have to buy a different fixture for a power compact bulb...at least, you do for the aquarium pc's.