Lighting questions

**jdmvette** · 02-07-2008, 03:48 AM

Hi all! This is my 1st post since joining this forum. I have kept fish for many years and I am just starting to get "back into" the hobby. I currenty have a 72 gallon bowfront fish-only freshwater setup.

My question I have is concering a lighting upgrade. I am currently using the single strip light that it came with.

I have narrowed my choices down to the following 2 fixtures and I would like some input on which unit would be better. Both fixures are around the same price and I am not looking for a killer (expensive) light setup.

The first is an All-Glass 3 bulb t8 strip fixture:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...69&pcatid=9869

I like the single strip I have now (also made by All-Glass) so I figured this would be a good one.

However, I have also been reading about the Nova Extreme T5 lights:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...0&pcatid=16770

This light appears to be a better kind of lighting system than the previous one. Are the T5 bulbs better than the T8?

Also, the T5 comes with a freshwater and a saltwater setup that substitutes an actinic bulb for a freshwater bulb. How would the actinic bulb look with my freshwater tank? I really like the look of the actinic light but if it's specifically mentioned for salt only, I don't want to regret the choice if I got it and didn't care for it.

Thanks for the help.

**jbeining75** · 02-07-2008, 03:51 AM

Welcome to the forum!!!! No experience with either of those lights but we have plenty of people who may. Don't get dsiscouraged someone will answer sooner or later........

**cocoa_pleco** · 02-07-2008, 04:03 AM

blue actinic is SW only, its only good for helping corals make food

**Algenco** · 02-07-2008, 04:10 AM

T5's are best, the small diameter means less restrike (lost light) and the generally are accompanied by better reflectors. They are available in N.O . Normal output, H.O. High output, and V.H.O. ,Very high output .
I would go H.O. or V.H.O.

**Incredulous_Ed** · 02-07-2008, 04:42 AM

The 8 means 1 12th of an inch diameter (i think) so T5 means 5 12ths (or it is 8ths?) of an inch. So less diameter is better because mor elight hits the tank.