Lighting for hood

[RYO]

Im in the proccess of building a new hood for the 120L as there is no room for any more tubes in the juwel one (i have bodged a spare tube in already)
My main question is on the k ratings of the so called specialist tubes
ADA -seem to recomend 8000k - http/www.adaeuro.com/
DENERRLE- seem to go down to 3000k
SERA- recomend 4900k http/www4.sera.de/site/main.php?language=en
Seems to be a fair gap in recomended ratings.
Im not 100% sure on lighting route to take , lookin at pros and cons of t5 and t8.
So any help welcome.

 

[jimboliana]

Know what you mean, i have gone down the Dennerle route with my fluros with 2x 600mm 18W Special Plant tubes which are 3000K but i also have a metal halide which is 5300K so i get the best of both worlds

I think you want to aim for 5000-6500K

 

[George Farmer]

It can be very confusing. In the US they seem to go mad on up to 10000K.

It all depends on your system. If you have loads of light, CO2, nutrient-rich water/substrate and real heavy planting then you will get away with almost any K rating from 2800K upto 14000K.

If you are like most of us with a "normal" system then I would stick to lower K. The 3000K Dennerle tubes are great IME but expensive and give a yellow/orange light which may not suit some. Personally I use a mix of 3000K, 6700K and 7500K with good results (BGA apart but that's not my lighting).

In summary if you plant heavily enough and acheive good growth then the K rating isn't too important more a matter of taste, budget and availabilty.

 

[RYO]

Im probably going with 4x 30w tubes.My lfs stocks the sera and arcadia tubes,not too keen on getting the tubes through post (lol reflectors i orderd needed a panel beating job when they arrived)

 

[George Farmer]

I can recommend http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/listsecti...rent=42&seq=131

I've bought lighting and reflectors from here and they arrived quickly and in excellent condition. Free delivery over £50.

 

[RYO]

Cheers i dont think the problem was the shop just inept posties lol