"It seems to have been a good idea to start this. We are getting great responses on this aquatics section and have added some interesting links & info regarding the Poor Man's Dosing Drops formula!"

A number of people are inquiring about aquatics and where to purchase products for aquarium use.

Hydroponics shops carry a wide range of Metal Halide bulbs from 175 watt to 400 watt in the ‘U DAY’ light colour bulb. Daylight bulbs have a much higher kelvin rating (K deg) at 5,500 deg K (agricultural bulbs are 4,700 or 4,800 deg K). They also carry a 400 watt 6,000 K bulb. These bulbs are designed for special applications, where nearer to daylight colour is required. These day bulbs work extremely well in live rock and coral aquariums.

Keeping in mind you need 175 watts of light for every 2' of depth in your tank, the length of the tank would then stipulate how many bulbs are required.

The Vita-Lite Power Twist fluorescent bulbs are great for people, plants and pets. We use two 24" Power Twist bulbs over our Geko Aquarium. These Vita-Lites come in 24" and 48" sizes. They are a full spectrum fluorescent with a 5,500 deg K rating and an abundant supply of UVA and UVB and a 3 year manufacturers’ warranty.

Some shops also carry Actinic Blue ‘Coral’ bulbs with deep true blue colour to penetrate to the live rock or coral.

Marine Tank

In a Marine Tank, corals and live rock are found naturally in deeper water, hence the light intensity is important as well as the spectrum.

The powerful blue photons penetrate deeper than bulbs under 5,500 K. Also, if you run a bulb under 5,000 K the tank is more susceptible to bad algaes. 5,500 K Bulbs penetrate up to twenty feet of water!

Fresh Water Plant Tank

In this picture there is a 250 watt Day Bulb over a 35 gallon aquarium.

Intensity of light is important rather than spectrum because the plants in a freshwater aquarium are usually found in shallow water.
The benefit of a 5,500 K Day Bulb here is less algae with a bulb over 5,000 K.

Many people who are into aquatics ask about our Nutrient for a Poor Man’s Dosing Drops formula.
Please visit the page on PMDD for extensive info!

Visit the the 'Aquatic Library'it provides a wealth of information!

or have a look at DaGunk's fish tanks. A private, aquatic, homepage with beautiful pictures and information.

© Contents and Photographs Copyright 1998, Stuart & Scott Eitel, Homegrown Hydroponics Inc.