Fluorescent Lights

[mld02004]

I bought a petco 6.6 gallon bookcase acrylic tank for my three bettas (divided). It came with a "T8 15W" plain fluorescent light. I find the light too unnatural and bright (doctors office bright!), and want something that looks more like daylight. I also have some live plants.

Any suggestions? It's a pretty small light in terms of length. I haven't measured yet but maybe 15" or 18"?

[sandybottom]

18" i believe. zoomed makes a florasun which is red and blue spectrum or they make an ultra sunlight which is more white and yellow. the ultra is 6500k and the flora is 5500k. either would work for low light plants.

[mld02004]

Thanks, I was considering those! So the flora is less bright than the ultra? Maybe that's the way to go...I also have light colored gravel which makes things even brighter. My plants are pretty hardy low light types.

[sandybottom]

does your current bulb have anymore specs? or a serial #?

[mld02004]

It just said T8 15W, no other info.

I ended up buying the flora sun as you suggested. It's a softer light than the one I had so I'm happy with it. My other issue is I used white gravel in one part of the tank (it's divided) which certainly makes things brighter! I didn't think about that when I bought it.

[sandybottom]

glad i could help. the reflective surface of your white gravel should help disperse your light better than black gravel. sounds good. cheers!