Lightbulbs for planted african cichlid tank advice... - Aquarium Advice

mordred · 01-04-2008, 08:38 PM

I am upgrading my lighting from two hoods of two 20 watt bulbs to two hoods of three 65 watt power compacts. What would be the best bulb setup for a planted African cichlid tank? Here are the options of bulbs:

-plant grow
-450 nm blue/Plant Grow (it has both)
-5200k
-6700k
-10000k White
-Plant Grow/10000K White
-420nm Actinic
-450nm Blue/420nm Actinic
-450nm Bright Blue

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. I was originally thinking of the 10000k white with two of the 450nm Blue/Plant grow bulbs in each hood.

**Zagz** · 01-04-2008, 09:39 PM

Travis wold be the best to pitch in here. He has a gorgeous planted mbuna tank. Here is a link to some pics of his tank and plants.

Algenco · 01-04-2008, 10:50 PM

Plant Grow/10000K White or GE 9325k (best) if you can find them

rkilling1 · 01-05-2008, 02:09 AM

It really depends on what you want to do with the tank. How big is the tank?

Do you want to go full blown planted? CO2, Ferts, High light, ect..

mordred · 01-06-2008, 10:05 PM

My tank is 140 Gallons 60x18x30 Flatback Hex. I would love to go fully planted, but that may end up being a lot of maintenance. Right now I am having trouble installing my UV Sterlizer due to plumbing/wet dry filtration under the tank, can't imagine how I would fit the CO2 setup down there.

01-04-2008, 08:38 PM	#1
mordred Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 36	Lightbulbs for planted african cichlid tank advice... I am upgrading my lighting from two hoods of two 20 watt bulbs to two hoods of three 65 watt power compacts. What would be the best bulb setup for a planted African cichlid tank? Here are the options of bulbs: -plant grow -450 nm blue/Plant Grow (it has both) -5200k -6700k -10000k White -Plant Grow/10000K White -420nm Actinic -450nm Blue/420nm Actinic -450nm Bright Blue Any suggestions would be much appreciated. I was originally thinking of the 10000k white with two of the 450nm Blue/Plant grow bulbs in each hood.

01-05-2008, 02:09 AM	#4
rkilling1 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: NE ohio Posts: 1,775 Images: 50	It really depends on what you want to do with the tank. How big is the tank? Do you want to go full blown planted? CO2, Ferts, High light, ect.. __________________ My 75 Gallon Planted Aquarium

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01-04-2008, 10:50 PM	#3
Algenco Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: May 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 103	Plant Grow/10000K White or GE 9325k (best) if you can find them

01-06-2008, 10:05 PM	#5
mordred Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 36	My tank is 140 Gallons 60x18x30 Flatback Hex. I would love to go fully planted, but that may end up being a lot of maintenance. Right now I am having trouble installing my UV Sterlizer due to plumbing/wet dry filtration under the tank, can't imagine how I would fit the CO2 setup down there.