Lighting for SA aquarium

[Caveman4684]

I have a standard 55 gallon with a factory single T8 light. Some months ago I replaced the bulb and it gives everything a greenish color. I would like to either upgrade to maybe a T5 fixture or if there is a good T8 bulb I might try that instead. I don't want a birghtly lit tank and I don't like a heavy actinic look. So I guess I'm looking for something that produces a more natural look and not too much brighter than what I have now. I found a couple different dual T5 fixtures and I like that idea. I could mix and match bulbs to get the look I want but I don't know if it will be too bright.

Anyway, opinions are welcome. Also, if you can link pictures of aquariums with a single T8 bulb or single or dual T5's that would be good.

 

[Heretik]

I would just go to the hardware store and get a t8 bulb in the 6500k rating which is closest to natural light

 

[Caveman4684]

I hadn't thought of that, definitely a cheap experiment.

 

[decoy50]

Have you looked into LED lights? No bulb replacement & they cost less to run...because of bulb placement in the fixture, the light looks diffused in the tank too like its shining through surface vegetation. I highly recommend them.

 

[lp85253]

10,000 k is a good general purpose t8 bulb its not as "green" as the 6500 k bulbs

 

[Gill Blue]

a t5 on a 55G is pretty bright. if you liked it before the lamp change, just do as heretik suggested. if you still have the old lamp, most will have the color rating on one of the ends. a 4 digit number followed by a k.