i'd like to get an idea of what to use in my 20 high. right now i have 2 T12 20 watt phillips lamps in one fixture and 1 T8 15watt nutragrow lamp in another. what bulbs have you guys had good results with, both T8 and T12?

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sorry cich... i never do real plants... :/ wish i could help

hmmm, ask ritsuko she is really getting into this.

coral life will pretty much be all u need, if u are trying to grow plants then try the supplements for them as well it will increase there growth rate and look much nuicer

thanks fishman. do i need to look for a lamp with a specific kelvin rating?

not neccisarly, id say just get above 3 WPG and you should be fine with most plants and just add supplements

i'm at 2.75 wpg right now, you think i should have more light?
i would love to have one of those fancy high wattage power compact fixtures but it just isn't in the budget yet.:(

Im using a 96 watt Quad 4 which does an pretty dang good job although the color temp of the bulbs arent that optimal (its a 10K bulb). I would suggest at least a 65 watt Power Compact bulb in 6500-8700 Kelvin temp range for best results....

I get about 90% of my lighting needs satisfied by www.hellolights.com, they are cheap and have just about anything lighting wise one could need aquarium wise...

Well i cant give you exact technical read outs cich as i cant remember what exactly my bulbs are. However these are in my African tank and its been over run by plants....

One actanic light tube with a flora sun tube, they complement the cichlids colours and the plants have grown like wildfire, every three days i have to take cuttings off of them just so i can see my fish!

thanks for the site ritsuko, they are cheap.:D

thanks oddball.:)

becarful on what bulb u get, sum will distore fish/plants and water color.