Best T5 bulbs for planted tank

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

PsYcHoTiC_MaDmAn

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 27, 2007
324
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UK
I recieved my 3*24w T5 luminaire the other day. but the bulbs in there seem rather blue (10'000k I would compare it to(well the arcadia marine white which is allmost that anway)) and unfortunatly the manufacturor (was bought via ebay) doesnt supply details on the bulbs, and didnt answer my questions when i sent them an email specificly asking for the details on the bulb.

I've been looking for T5 bulbs suited for a planted tank, but they seem a little thin on the ground. there is the arcadia plant pro or the interpet triton/tri-plus.

however there is a german site aquaristikshop that stock several JBL T5 lights with very high CRI ratings, and i'm wondering if that is worth getting

If anyone knows of a good source of T5 bulbs available in the UK i would be grateful
 
been looking around a bit more (using some more specific terms in google) and found some aqua medic bulbs, i can get a pack of 4 bulbs (24w 22") for £24.68.($50 or so) which seems pretty good value.

the blurb i got of the aquamedic site was this
aqualine T5 Plant Grow is a growth lamp for plants in fresh water aquariums. The lamp accentuates the red and blue parts of the spectrum and comes close to the absorption spectrum of water plants. These wave lengths stimulate photosynthesis and so create excellent condition for luxuriant plant growth. In addition the colours become more vibrant in any fish with red pigmentation (e.g. Cardinal tetra). Combined with aqualine T5 Reef White 10K, Plant Grow gives the aquarium a brilliant natural appearance.

aqualine%20T5.jpg

which looks sort of what i'm looking for. (btw sorry bout the inclusion of the other bulbs charts i'm just linking the img from their site)

I also found the Sylvania T5 24W GROLUX @ £9.70 ($19 or so) each

theres also the Arcadia T5 plant pro and their blurb states
The T5 Plant Pro lamp has been specifically formulated to combine the red and blue spectral peaks of the original tropical lamp to support plant photosynthesis, with the higher light output of the freshwater lamp. The result is a lamp which is noticeably brighter than the original tropical, making it ideal for more demanding plant species.

* Superior Plant growth
* Enhance colours of fish and plant
* Satisfy plant species with a higher light requirement – e.g. Lilleopsis
Plant-Pro-SPD.gif

but that was more expensive @ £12.95 ($26) each

the Giesemann were £12.99 each and their blurb was
POWERCHROME midday - a full spectrum lamp which closely imitates natural sunlight at 6000 Kelvin. Suitable for fresh-water, salt-water, reef aquariums
and terrariums.
Rated at 6,000 Kelvin with a spectrum designed to recreate sunlight in both fresh and salt water aquariums. This tube can be used on both freshwater and saltwater aquariums.

HIGHLIGHTS midday

light colour: white 6000 K
power output: 24, 39, 54, 80 watt
use : fresh- and salt-water aquariums
technology: 5-bands-phosphor
thumb-63-B-20061909123559.jpg

of those what would you choose. the price thing is throwing me towards choosing the aquamedic, but i could also buy another bulb and use 3 to balance the lighting overall
 
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