YeW Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 I have been using NEC HG 5000K (tri phosphor) and NEC HGX 5000K ("Quad" phosphor tubes). Both seem good to me - I prefer the colour of the latter (which is less yellow). Both cost around $11-15 ea at Bunnings for a 4' tube. I've also used a cheaper triphosphor light from Phillips (don't remember the model) I think it was $6 or $7 for a 4' and it worked well also. What do you use? How much was it? What do you think of it? Where do you buy it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trofius Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 i know they cost a bit more but i use growlux tubes purchased from the lfs, for about $17 each, nice soft colour, and gets the algae going for the tropheus.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaz1986 Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 I use gro-lux... it is from a hydroponics store... I don't know how much it costs as i am still using my grandparents leftovers from their hydro set up... They make elodea grow like crazy... and val... but my amazon sword seems content to not grow any taller... whenever it is left alone for long enough it is lush... but really short jared Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CThompson Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 I use the NEC tri-phosphor. It gives a stong clear light that shows colours similar as one would see them if light by the sun, and is great for plant growth. What you need to look at when purchasing a tube is the spectrum. If you want it to grow plants, it needs to have big (equal) spikes in blue and red, these are the colours that plants use. They don’t use any of the green light within the spectrum, the reason plants (algae included) are green is because they reflect this light. What that means is, these lights that have large spikes in green, will make your plants look good, but in fact, won’t be helping them. The green in a light is added so people think, “oh, the plant looks lovely and green under this tube, I will buy it”…or words to that affect. If you purchase a tube, and the spectrum has a spike higher in green that the other colours (blue and red), it is being done with you in mind not the plant. Look for a tube with a spectrum with even spikes in blue and red, and if there is green there too, then that will keep you and the plants happy. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bijengum Posted May 19, 2004 Share Posted May 19, 2004 Where do you get the info on the spectrum. Most retailers certainly don't have that info. I think they buy in tubes by the "foot". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CThompson Posted May 19, 2004 Share Posted May 19, 2004 You'll often find it on the tube's packaging. Sometimes a company like NEC will have a web site, I know the tubes I bought used to have a web site, and they had the spectrum detailed there. I had a quick look and I found this; http://www.nelsonlamps.com.au/products%20p...s/hg/3-band.htm Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kribbie Posted May 19, 2004 Share Posted May 19, 2004 I went to a few Bunngings stores around Sydney but the NEC aquarium light tubes for sale are only 2ft and 4ft, there's none 3ft available? I'm using Hagen Power-Gro in one of my planted tank and it works great for my plants & fish as well! I've used it for more than a year and the condition of the tube is still like brand-new~ =D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CThompson Posted May 19, 2004 Share Posted May 19, 2004 Those types of tubes are recommend to be replaced after 8-12 month or so, due to deterioration in the light they put out. They may look the same to you, but they won't be putting out the same quality of light. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash Posted May 19, 2004 Share Posted May 19, 2004 Do the NEC lights deteriorate also? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gutty Posted May 19, 2004 Share Posted May 19, 2004 I got a couple of actinic tubes i used to have over my display tank. Damn things cost like 50 bucks and do bugger all Nah, seriously, they do make blue fish look really blue/purple/electric, but other than that they're pretty much just a rip off. Got no idea what my white tubes are........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CThompson Posted May 19, 2004 Share Posted May 19, 2004 All tubes deteriorate with age. For a fish fish tank, this deterioration is not much of an issue, but for plants, it is something to bear in mind. If I remember correctly, NEC Tri phosphor reputedly keep the spectrum for around a year and a half before you need to change them. For a fish tank I expect they will last many years. I like the actinic lights as a "sunrise/sunset" as it is easy on the fish's eyes, but no, they don't put out much light. You should see what a cardinal looks like under one though, I'm not sure if it's "Wow!" Or "Yuck!". Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeW Posted May 19, 2004 Author Share Posted May 19, 2004 Kribbie - Unless you're growing plants you dont need special "aquarium" lights. The lights I've recommended above work fine :D! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r.d.m Posted May 19, 2004 Share Posted May 19, 2004 i use nec tri-phosphers the 3ft ones are available in lighting shops Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kribbie Posted May 19, 2004 Share Posted May 19, 2004 Thanks Yew, I'll go to Bunnings and take another look sometime next week, but I've been to at least 3 Bunnings and none got 3ft tubes for sale...At present, I'm using the old bio-flux tube on my 2nd hand 3ft light on my 3fter and it still works ok, will replace it if I've found the right one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gutty Posted May 19, 2004 Share Posted May 19, 2004 Kribbie, why not try an electrical wholesaler ? there will be lots in the book, J.R.Turks is one company that comes to mind. Cheap, and they have everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CThompson Posted May 19, 2004 Share Posted May 19, 2004 Regal Lighting at Tarren Point will have Triphosphor lights as well. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gutty Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Have you been in there Craig ? I thought they genarally did more fancy types of lights, but i haven't been in there in a long while. If you do go in there, ask for Ben, he's a lovely bloke and will help you if he can.(He's a customer of mine..............but obviuosly won't know me by Gutty). Edit: forgot this was a sticky thread, any mods feel free to delete my chit chat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CThompson Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Funny you should mention that. Yes they do do the "fancy lights" but as Ben Briguglio is my father in law I can say confidently that he has them, as this is where I got them. He has recently moved. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kribbie Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Thanks Gutty & Craig~ I'll go there and have a look on next week (very very very busy this week with assignments.... )~ Heidi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 I've always used the Hagen Power-Glos. They are about $27-30 for a 48" in Adelaide. Anthony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nornicle Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 if you want cheap plant growing lights go to your local hydroponic store or others and get Sylvania gro lux?? cheap and good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMK Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 Nornicle what is considered cheap for the Sylvania Growlux tubes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazaf Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 You guys dont use aquarium lightings? I havent any knowledge about lighing for fish tank, and never bought one. If you buy your own light tube how do you hold it on the fish tank? or do you get them housing things for your tubes from LFS which i see them have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquaman Posted July 3, 2004 Share Posted July 3, 2004 Kazaf, you get those "housing things" also known as reflectors from an LFS, I also heard of people making their own... Cheers Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazaf Posted July 3, 2004 Share Posted July 3, 2004 Yeh they cost pretty expensive.. over 100$ for tube and reflector.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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