t8 2600 lumens generic ge lights...

[invertical]

I'm trying to figure out what type of t8 bulbs would be the best to get for my 55 gal 4' beginner reef tank...I know I want one of them to be an acnitic bulb but I'm having trouble finding a good daylight bulb that is less than 2600 lumens since I'm pretty sure that is way too strong....any help would be greatly appreciated...thanks in advance!

 

[reefraff]

too strong, I think not. If you want lower light stuff a T8 setup will work. The bigger online stores sell T5 aquarium lamps.

 

[invertical]

well at the LFS i've seen some sun-glo, power-glo ect.... for t8k setups, i'm just wondering what t8 lights would work the best as right now I can't afford t5's or MH... also when I added just one of the t8 bulbs and had my 2 18" actitic bulbs I got a serious hair algae outbreat...all my tests came out perfect, I understand that it is a cycle the tank goes through only being about 8 months old, but before I added the t8 light I never had an outbreak...I am also using ri/do water when I do my water changes as well.

 

[ibew41]

maybe some soft coral all the way up,but I dont think they will last. Also post water test results saying they are perfect people will still ask for them

 

[reefraff]

Originally Posted by Invertical
http:///forum/post/2693647
well at the LFS i've seen some sun-glo, power-glo ect.... for t8k setups, i'm just wondering what t8 lights would work the best as right now I can't afford t5's or MH... also when I added just one of the t8 bulbs and had my 2 18" actitic bulbs I got a serious hair algae outbreat...all my tests came out perfect, I understand that it is a cycle the tank goes through only being about 8 months old, but before I added the t8 light I never had an outbreak...I am also using ri/do water when I do my water changes as well.
Meant to type T8. 4 T8's would allow you to keep Lower light softies in the tank. Adding more light to a tank with just actinics would likely cause an algae bloom unless you have pristine water quality.