arcadia bulbs :)

[kenneth_kpe]

are they good well im gonna be starting to replace one of my tubes soon (about to turn 8 mo's old) and im looking into the arcadia bulbs ? are their freshwater or tropical bulbs good for plant growth ?

 

[George Farmer]

The Freshwater is 7500K and is a full-spectrum high-output tube. It gives a cool-white light and is great for bringing out the greens of the plants. I use one on my 34G and can recommend them. For best results it would be better to balance the cool colour with a tube with a lower colour temp (warmer effect.)

The Original Tropicals are based on the old Gro-Lux tubes which have been around since the 70s. They give a purple type light with peaks in the blue and red spectrum. It has a much lower intensity than the FW tube but if used in combination with FW can give good results.

If I had to choose one I would definitely go for the FW.

 

[Paul_MTS]

i use both this bulbs in all the tanks.

I'ved found that when using the OT and FW togther it brings out the colours of the fish great.

In my moderately planted tank all the plants do pretty well, except the swards which the RTBS took a liking to and destroyed. but the hygrophilia grows like a weed.

 

[kenneth_kpe]

i see, im gonna mix em with 4 osram 6500 kelvin compact flourescents... i guess i should go with the freshwater bulb then ?

 

[jimbooo]

FW is a great tube but i's personally avoid the original tropical. a better equivelant is the dennerle special plant.

i found the original tropical tube encouraged algae growth. and was a bit gaudy in colour (candy cane red) hard to describe without seeing it.

 

[Sime]

i use a FW and an OT in my tank (they're the only two I have) and the plants grow rapidly.

The FW is better but i like the colour the OT creates, as jimbooo says its a little reddish - bit like being the glow of a sunset.

I do think the OT brings the colour of my fish out better though.

 

[kenneth_kpe]

i cant seem to find denerelle bulbs here i guess il go with the FW then ! a bit after i solve my algae bloom