Lighting Help... T-8, Want Grow Algae for Malawi Cichlids

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Yes.... I agree, for what I am trying to accomplish, leaving the lights on for longer periods is key. As I said, in the beginning in 2007, the algae was a 1/4" or more and looked so natural as it moved with the tanks water flow and watching the babies eat from it... was wild!

Currently on the 110G, which has had the most spawning, the lights, a 48" triple T8 and a High Output 55W 24", ( for balance, I change the side the HOP24" is on once a week), come on in the morning around 9AM and the last one, the triple 48" T8 shuts off at around 11:30PM.

Because i am already leaving them on for longer periods I know that they are long over due for changing which is why I feel they are not putting out enough to grow the algae as before...

So, I need to buy a bunch of bulbs... But which bulbs...? I tried once before to do this and was sold a very white bulb... forget the name... like a grow bulb which was probably great for the algae but it made the fish look like... well you know! I am at this crossroads again and would like to "try", perhaps, a combination of 2 or 3 different bulbs... But which ones... Would atinic be good or is that only for salt and do they even make it in T8...???

Again, this is way out of my league as I have never really done anything other than change the bulbs... I am ashamed to admit... when they burned out. There I said it...! I feel much better having gotton that off my chest... ha!

Your wise counsel is very much appreciated!!!!

John
 
Burko... Good question....!!!

I have no idea.... But I have a feeling that am about to go from know a little about lighting to knowing a whole lot!!!!

Probably be a whole lot broker too!!!!!

Thanks fr the input!!!!
 
"But I have a feeling that am about to go from know a little about lighting to knowing a whole lot!!!!"

OK. My knowledge is limited but...


AFAIK if light is shining its atinic, if its reflected its sub-atinic. Calling a light brand 'Atinic' is just marketing I guess.

As far as buying the best bulbs, you need to consider the 'wave lenghts' of light required to grow alge but not discolour the fish.

I'd say buy a daylight globe and suck it and see.
 
you need to think about the Kelvin rating on the bulb. it is temperature, kelvin goes all the way down to absolute Zero, wich is hard to do anyway. so the temp of the bulbs are anywhere from 2,000K to 20,000K. plant bulbs range around 2,800k-3,000k wich is low. daylight bulbs are rated around 6,500k-7,000k. color enhancing in the 8-9,000k range. Full spectrum bulbs 5,500k-4,000K. there are 50/50 lights that mix white light and actinic light, wich is kinda on the blue end of the spectrum and is good for photosynthesis and is pleasurable to the eyes.
 
Ak-Kronic;2946774; said:
you need to think about the Kelvin rating on the bulb. it is temperature, kelvin goes all the way down to absolute Zero, wich is hard to do anyway. so the temp of the bulbs are anywhere from 2,000K to 20,000K. plant bulbs range around 2,800k-3,000k wich is low. daylight bulbs are rated around 6,500k-7,000k. color enhancing in the 8-9,000k range. Full spectrum bulbs 5,500k-4,000K. there are 50/50 lights that mix white light and actinic light, wich is kinda on the blue end of the spectrum and is good for photosynthesis and is pleasurable to the eyes.
Click to expand...

the temperature refers to a mythical black substance (which contains certain properties... they usually just use black charcoal though) that is heated to a certain temperature and the readout of the light spectrum it gives off.
 
Al-Kronic and cassharper...

You guys and your posts have brought a new level of understanding of this area of our addiction,,, Thank you so much for taking the time to respond...!!!!! Now I can see where to focus my experimentations with different bulb combinations...

So, I need to buy a bunch of bulbs...

Has anyone bought bulbs for their african tanks from HD, Lowes, etc, that have the properties that we are all looking for??

Maybe they don't have all the bulbs we need maybe there is just one bulb from there or is there someplace else or a site that has god pricing ...?

Thank you again for ALL of the help...!!!!!

John
 
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