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May 20th, 2009
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| | Fish Addict
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Originally Posted by harpua2002  I'm sorry, I must have misunderstood your post. A new light fixture would really make your rainbows (and your plants) pop, but if you aren't into that I'd say that changing your bulbs could make a big difference as well. I'd look for some new bulbs in the 10000K range; they are more "white/blue" compared to 6700K (plant bulbs, they tend to look yellow), and that should help your rainbows look really nice.  | You didn't misunderstand... I was just unclear... I'm still trying to figure out what I am looking for. Everytime I look at bulbs I'm just blown away by the number of choices. I just want a light that I can turn on and look at all the beautiful fishies... I am probably just over thinking the whole dang thing.  | 
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May 20th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
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Originally Posted by JennDFK I just want a light that I can turn on and look at all the beautiful fishies... I am probably just over thinking the whole dang thing. | Well, if it makes you feel any better, I want the same thing, I do the same thing, and this thread has been really really helpful!  | |
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May 21st, 2009
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| | Fish Addict
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Originally Posted by prairielilly Well, if it makes you feel any better, I want the same thing, I do the same thing, and this thread has been really really helpful! | Thanks Prairielilly... it helps to know that I'm not alone in my confusion. Shopping for lights makes me feel about as confused as when I bought a computer... I just want something that I can turn on and not worry about...but it never is that simple is it  | |
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May 21st, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Assuming you are going to be sticking with your current fixture, the first thing I would suggest is to measure the diameter of the bulbs you have now. You will see a lot of fluorescent bulbs at stores/websites labeled T5, T8, or T12. The numeric portion of the T5/T8/T12 designation refers to the bulb diameter measured in eighth-inch increments. In other words, a T5 bulb is 5/8" diameter, a T8 bulb is 1", and a T12 is 1.5". It's helpful to know what you have, so you can purchase an appropriate replacement.
Once you have that info, it may be easier to suggest a bulb that will fit your current fixture and meet your other needs. | |
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May 21st, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
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Originally Posted by JennDFK ...but it never is that simple is it | Actually that's kinda what I like best about it - the finding out, learning lotsa stuff - I love that this hobby teaches me so many things about ...so many things It's fun! Quote:
Originally Posted by mathas Assuming you are going to be sticking with your current fixture, the first thing I would suggest is to measure the diameter of the bulbs you have now. You will see a lot of fluorescent bulbs at stores/websites labeled T5, T8, or T12. The numeric portion of the T5/T8/T12 designation refers to the bulb diameter measured in eighth-inch increments. In other words, a T5 bulb is 5/8" diameter, a T8 bulb is 1", and a T12 is 1.5". It's helpful to know what you have, so you can purchase an appropriate replacement.
Once you have that info, it may be easier to suggest a bulb that will fit your current fixture and meet your other needs. | THAT'S what that means! thanks Mathas! | |
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May 22nd, 2009
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| | Fish Addict
| Well my husband went out yesterday and bought new bulbs... but now it seems that the fixture is on the outs. The lights blink on and off and just don't seem to want to stay on. I'm hoping the LFS will take them back so that we can get a whole new unit.
I've been on here trying to figure out the best lights... and my husband just decides to un-complicate things and just buy a dang light.
A little role reversal?
I thought men were suppose to be the over-technical types and the ladies were suppose to be the ones that just say the heck with it and buy something simple that will work.
Oh well it looks like my research is going to get used anyway... | |
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June 5th, 2009
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| | Fish Addict
| You may have to go online to get a decent replacement. It seems (around here at least) all the shops only sell cheap single strip fixtures.
I just got my new fixture delivered today. My problem was my 30g AllGlass hood came with a cheap 17watt single strip flourescent, that cast a hideous purple hue into the tank. I hated it, and any bulb (24inch) that I tried to replace it with, wasn't bright enough.
So I ordered a new fixture online and it was just delivered today. I stuck with the AllGlass brand because I wanted to keep it simple, and have it fit on my existing AllGlass hood . I bought a compact flourescent 55watt, 8,000k and I gotta tell you, I am THRILLED ! My tank looks GREAT !!!!! What a big difference. Nice bright natural light and best of all, no more purple !!!!! Yippppeeeee !!!!!!! It cost a hundred bucks, but is well worth it.
Most of the popular aqua sites have a nice selection (DrFosterSmith, BigAls, Petsmart, etc.) so see where you can get the best deal.
good luck Jenn ! | |
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