I want bright !!! How do I get it?

[we4wieners]

I have a T8 fixture built in to my canopy. I am looking for a bright T8 lamp. What do I get? I know I can buy a T5, Ho, blah, blah... Its built in so its all I can use. Help me get bright.

 

[GhostShrimpMan]

Aren't they all the same brightness?

I don't think there's much you can do here..

 

[jcardona1]

you could try to improve your reflectors

 

[we4wieners]

Some bulbs are purple, 18K, 5K, daylight, so on....what is the brightest?

 

[jcardona1]

Some bulbs are purple, 18K, 5K, daylight, so on....what is the brightest?

Generally they'll all have the same light output, that's only dealing with the color temperature.

 

[walleye1]

What are your tank demensions? I have an 85 gallon and had to disable one of my 2 CF lights cus too bright. Was starting to get algae problem. You can also try light color substrate for more reflection.

 

[we4wieners]

What are your tank demensions? I have an 85 gallon and had to disable one of my 2 CF lights cus too bright. Was starting to get algae problem. You can also try light color substrate for more reflection.

Its a 29g...In regards to reflectors, can I use foil?

 

[Kogo]

Looking at your pic, it seems you have actinic lights (20,000k and very blue).

you might want to switch to a 10,000k or 6500k bulb. both are daylight bulbs and should give you some "brightness".

 

[we4wieners]

I have an 18k daylight in there now. That blue /actinic is no longer on there.

 

[Kogo]

18k is still on the blue end and will have less "brightness" than a 10k.

but, if you are happy with it... keep it... if not try the 10k