The fluorescent tube light that came with the 20 gallon setup I recently purchased reads:
Eclipse
natrual sunlight
f15t8
46k
Made in Thailand for Marineland
I have never seen a light like it, and I was wondering what f15t8 and 46k meant.
Thanks for replying.
If F15T8 means that the bulb might be T8, would It be okay for a few low light corals?
Also, why do I need 10000 k lights? What happens if I use 46k?
T8 bulbs are more commnly used for plants. T5 is for reef.
If you use the 46k bulb, then your corals can and most likely will die from lack of light. Also, any life on live rock will perish. 10000k is closest to sunlight (look for 10000k - 20000k) and promotes coral growth. Anything else wont do anything.
So I think I will go with either T5 or Power compact. The only thing that worries me is the fact that I might go out and buy an expensive light and over time the "k" will go down along with the intensity and soon enough my corals will die. Is there any kind of light that is good until it dies, and affordable?
Saltwater is looking more complicated every day. What will happen to live rock/live sand if I don't use special lighting, and start with a fish only system? Will all of the life die, and the tank will be harder to maintain?
You have to change the bulb out every year, maximum. It doesnt matter how long it lasts, because all bulbs do what what you said; they lose their intensity over time (even though we dont notice). 10k should be changed a 12 months, 14k at 10 months, and 20k at 8 months.
Way out of the price range I am wanting to spend, but thank you for the suggestion. I think I will check my lfs or a pet store for a single strip light, probably an actinic, T8 or Powercompact, that will fit in the lamp that came with the tank.
I do not know the exact length of the tank I have, but I do know that it is a standard 20 gallon tall.
So, do I need 10000k+ lighting for a fish only system with tufa rock and live sand?
That is a good bulb, since it is T5. That will be a good choice for a FOWLR.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Tropical Fish Keeping
597.8K posts
83.7K members
Since 2006
forum community dedicated to tropical fish owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about species,breeding, health, behavior, aquariums, adopting, care, classifieds, and more! Open to fish, plants and reptiles living in freshwater or saltwater environments.