Lighting question

[Joehays]

So I inherited a 55 gallon tank from a friend who doesn't know what light was on it. I have a 32 watt t8 'spectrum light' which looks much dimmer with a reddish tint. The light that came with the tank is a brighter light with a thicker bulb, I have 2 amazon swords in my tank and I am not sure which light to go with (or if I should get a different light all together)


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[Joehays]

Update: I found some info on the old bulb, it's a sylvania 34 watt 'cool white' ecologic and it has a circle with what appears to say HO

So does anyone know which one is better? Thanks.

Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[david yurik]

your thicker 34w bulb is a t-12. this is an older flourescent and is the biggest energy hog. they are being replaced by t-8's and t-5's. it sounds like your spectrum is one of those. there is just too much info to out there about lights. search google to find lots of information about lights / lumens / color temp / cri / etc.....

too much information ----->http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Lighting.html

good basic information ----->http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?acatid=287&aid=228

 

[Joehays]

thank you very much, my amazon swords are growing pretty fast with my spectrum light in (so I guess that's the right one)