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I made this thread earlier in the forum http://fishprofiles.com/forums/thread.aspx?id=37923&rp=5

So just wondering about other possible light sources. I have never used T-5 double strip fixture before. Would a 30" one for a 20Long tank be alright? Where 1 bulb is full light spectrum and the second bulb is full actinic blue?

30" AQUALIGHT T-5 Double Strip Fixture

Why would you want actinic for a freshwater aquarium? It will just make algae grow faster. Unless 100% of your stock is algae eaters, I doubt they'll keep up with it.

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Hi,
I'm not sure in reading your question what you are trying
to do with that 20G tank. Unless you are going to turn it
into a small saltwater reef tank you absolutely do NOT
need to use a 50/50 bulb or one white and one actinic blue
bulb. Unfortunately many canopies that use more than one
bulb come that way, and they are truly useless.

There is nothing "fancy" about T-5 bulbs. They are simply
smaller in diameter (5/8 inch) than the normal T-8 or T-12
bulbs, and because they are physically smaller, you can
put two or more in the space needed for one of the larger
ones. That allows you to more than double the watts per
gallon for the tank. If you are purchasing the hood from
a commercial source, try dickering with them before the
purchase and see if you can't convince them to swap out the
50/50 or actinic bulb for two bulbs that have the word
SUNLIGHT in their name. Coral life Sunlight, for
instance.

Take a minute and read this link:
http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/threads/13454.1.htm?43#

The bulbs you are considering are rated at 10,000K and
above. They would normally be used only on salt water
reef tanks that require the very, very intense light
necessary for the invertebrates to create their colors
and the algae that they feed on.

If this tank is to house freshwater fish and plants, then
read the above link, and stick with the lighting
suggestions.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

alright, next time I'll go with 100% daylight bulb instead. I should have posted here before buying a 50/50 bulb for the standard hood light .

As for why I would want actinic blue is to give the tank a bluish hue color. I like it since it makes the tank appear more like a saltwater tank, though it is actually a freshwater tank.

In the meantime, I'll keep the 50/50 bulb and eventually replace it with a 100 daylight bulb, but if it causes too bad of an algae problem, I'll remove it sooner.