Quote:
Originally Posted by flricordia  I am helping someone set-up a 240gl F/W that is full of rock and plastic plants. She doesn't want to bother with live plants right now, but I have a feeling she will want them once the tank settles in.
What kind of flourescents are available that will give good color to a community tank that will consist of tetras, discus, angels, gourami, fish like that. I have been away from F/W for so long I haven't kept up on the current lighting.
The power supply is 2- Icecap 440s with T12 end caps to run 4x4 foot bulbs. Would like to get lighting that is not too bright but will intensify fish colors and will be good for plants if she decides to go that route. |
FW lighting is a bit different from SW reef lighting. I can't help by feel that most of the previous posts missed the whole point by recommending T5s and other "exotic" lighting.
Since this is a tank for FW and for fish, using plastic plants the whole trick here is to not over do the lighting. Since you have the Icecap 440's, you'll want to go with bulbs that will work with those ballasts. The obvious choice is VHO T12 bulbs. The bulbs generally available are the URI bulbs. Then come in several various color temps. The AquaSun bulbs are about 6500K, the ActinicWhite bulbs are about 10000K. There is also a 14000K bulb and an actinic blue bulb.
For FW I prefer a much more yellow light compared to what I'd use for a reef. For four bulbs, I'd use two AquaSun bulbs and two ActinicWhite bulbs. Using much higher color temps in FW would tend to wash out the colors of the fish, and look unusual or weird. Going with 4 AquaSun bulbs would look very yellow. You could also go with three of one bulb and one of the other if you wanted the tank more yellow or more blue.
The traditional "grow-lux" bulbs were used for years in hobby, and are still often sold for FW. They have a lot of blue and red light, but they make the tank look very artificial. I don't really like them.
Live plants require some additional care and considerations. especially with the filtration system. Generally that age old UGF system has to go, and you must use a deep sandbed.