T12 NO Lighting Question

[GDawson]

I’m not happy with the amount for blue/actinic light in my tank. Corals moved from the main/LED tank to the nano with 2x03 actinic T5s are showing much better florescence to begin with and looking even better after a couple of weeks.

First choice - I have the original; strip light for the main tank and was wondering if there’s a 48” NO T12 actinic or “Purple Plus” like bulb available. I could just lay the strip light behind the LED units and have it start up at the same time to give a better colour to the water/corals? Or will the bulb given its output not make much of a difference? Other suggestions?

Second Choice - Would a single strip of Reef Brites be able to just lie across the tank top without a canopy/mounting (open top tank…the LED unit’s now just sit on two perpendicular rails)?

-Gregory

 

[GDawson]

What happens if I put a HO or VHO T12 in a normal strip?

-Gregory

 

[BigMac]

You mean like a normal t12 base?

Duuno never tried it.

 

[Coral reefer]

I have my 48" reef brite sitting on top of my open top 48" tank. Works great for me

 

[GDawson]

Yeah....a normal T12 base.

-Gregory

 

[tuberider]

You'd most likely need to add a fan, especially if the fixture is ABS, if it is it will warp. Also, the bulb life may be greatly shortened if you have it in a sealed unit as the heat will fry it.