I have some t8 tubes that are called, AQUA-GLO. and SUN-GLO. i am wondering if they will be beneficial to the plants? from what i know only full spectrum tubes such as grow lux work for plants. any knowledge on this? thanks

Best way to find out if try it. I've used AQUA-GLO before, and the plants I kept did fine.

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I love lamp

OK mate thanks

No bother. For what it's worth, the SUN-GLO should in theory be good as the sun gives a full spectrum.

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I love lamp

Yeah, its what the name says so we should expect that!

Hi Dom

It's a bit O.T.T about needing all these different spectrums, i've even heard dedicated planted aquarists say words to that effect on forums.

In theory, i think its supposed to be lights in-between about 6,700 - 10,000 Kelvin that are best for plants.

But i cant find many great planted tank keepers that religiously stick to this.

For my planted tank, i used x2 Aqua Glo and x1 Power Glo and the results have been plain to see (i.e. good)

But a lot of it depends on plants themselves, like my fellow Senior Member says, sometimes you just have to suck it and see.

If i was you and you are using more than one bulb, try to cover your bets, i.e. if you using x2 bulbs, go for x2 different types and if using x3 bulbs go for x3 different types.

Ideally, from what i keep hearing, for planted tanks, you want to work towards replacing your tubes every 6-9 months (ideally).

Yep okay then buddy. i initially thought that the aqua glo etc types of standard tubes. and i thought only certain tubes that work for plants. maybe you are right on that, i dont have much knowledge on tubes but i will look into it. thanks mate.

One of the tubes i got for plant omits a red spectrum that the other bulbs like powerglo and sunglo cant omit. You need differant spectrums to try and replicate the sun. Unfortuanetly this is not possible with these bulbs as they can not omit all the differant spectrums of the sun in one bulb.