T5 or small bulbs for 10 gallon aquarium

[assafelbaz]

Hi.

My 10 gallon tank has in it's hood 2 lights. The ones that i had before was the regular bulbs (not fluorescent) and i have changed them to small fluorescent bulbs (5,000K). I know that i should change them for better lighting, but i have a question.

Should i change them to a different kind of fluorescent, like T5 ones with a new hood? Or, i can just buy the small ones (also fluorescent) but blue/white (50/50) ones for reef aquariums?

Thanks

 

[kbuser92]

I would recommend the new fixture. Thats only enough light for fish, I tried it hoping it would work and I returned it the same day.

 

[assafelbaz]

OK, i will order it.

Thank you.

 

[assafelbaz]

I was trying to figure out what to order. There is the T5 and T8 widths, and there is the 5,000K - 10,000K temps. Which size is better?

My tank is 10 gallon, i don't want it to grow algae and i want to be able to grow corals.
Also, should i have one blue and one daylight, or both daylight?

 

[Sir Alex]

A lot of people have been getting t5s for their 10 gallon tanks, which should work fine for fish and corals. And for bulb temperatures, the most common combination is half of them 10,000k and half actinic.

 

[kbuser92]

Anything less than 10,000 will grow algae more, anything higher will start to look blue. The three common actinics are 420, 454 & 460, going from blue (420) to purple (460).

 

[Zissou]

Just pick up a par38 led light from ecoxotic or something. You can use any fixture that takes a standard light bulb for it.

 

[assafelbaz]

More temperature (around 10,000K) is more growth power for plants (like algae).. No?
Now i have 2 of 5,000K and it is horrible! The red algae can't stop grow in my tank.
If 10,000K won't help it to grow so i will buy one of 10,000K and one Actinic blue.

The LED lighting is way too expensive. I think 10 gallon tank can be lighted well with less expensive tools.

By the way 420 is purple and 460 is blue.

 

[kbuser92]

I agree. The K temperature is the colour. Higher is bluer, lower is redder, which also happens to fuel algae growth. The bluer light actually makes it look whiter, as opposed to yellower, which is generally more aesthetically pleasing.

Even though LEDs are expensive up front, you spend a LOT less replacing them.

 

[assafelbaz]

So there is no way to get rid of this algae in my tank...? If lighting is not a solution, since i want to have corals in my tank, what else can i do?

 

[Zissou]

Algae is a symptom of something that's broken and needs to be fixed.

You have high phosphates or nitrates in your tank, which in turn fuels your algae. There are plenty of people with high power lighting systems at multiple temperatures with little algae issues. Your bulbs certainly aren't helping, but they're not the problem either.

Tap water, feeding your fish too much, slacking on water changes, etc. are just some of the reasons; there's dozens of things that could be causing your algae to grow.

In this hobby, you're not really taking care of corals; you're taking care of water. So if you're having an algae issue, you have to ask yourself what your water quality is like. In order for any of us to help you, you'll have to know your parameters.

 

[Northstar24]

Algae is a symptom of something that's broken and needs to be fixed.

You have high phosphates or nitrates in your tank, which in turn fuels your algae. There are plenty of people with high power lighting systems at multiple temperatures with little algae issues. Your bulbs certainly aren't helping, but they're not the problem either.

Tap water, feeding your fish too much, slacking on water changes, etc. are just some of the reasons; there's dozens of things that could be causing your algae to grow.

In this hobby, you're not really taking care of corals; you're taking care of water. So if you're having an algae issue, you have to ask yourself what your water quality is like. In order for any of us to help you, you'll have to know your parameters.

Agree 100%

I would also state that LED's for a 10 gallon would not be expensive, a Par38 bulb would be a good solution to lighting the tank, it wont break the wallet, and it plugs into any standard light socket

 

[assafelbaz]

I will order the LED PAR38. Do i need to notice for anything when purchasing it, like temperature, power (watt), and other parameters?

About the water. Can i use a drinking water like "Poland Spring", or i have to install the RO system?

 

[assafelbaz]

No requirements for LED lights? I want to order the right one for my tank.
I ordered a RO system 4 stage, cost me $72 on eBay, including filters and membranes.

By the way, right above the aquarium, about 6 ft., i have the room lighting (fluorescent), it is also lighting the aquarium from the outside front... Does it make sense that this is also a problem of lighting situation? Room lights should be taken as lighting times or not?

 

[kbuser92]

I doubt that its a main cause. It could be helping, but theres multiple things algae needs to grow and light is just one thing.