JBL lights or PL Lights??

[hjbyeo]

Hi all,

The tank is about 80Litres. (L 2 Feet, B - 40 cm, H - 35cm)

So if you minus away the gravel height - it will be about 30cm.

If we use JBL + FL Lights 2 x 15? at most 2 x 20W? Will that be sufficient?

The plants are rotala sp green + indica, weeping moss, rannolisma.

I understand that the JBL lights have very good reflectors and it's will cover every inch in the tank, where else, the PL lights (ATMAN), even after modification, it will not cover as much ground, and have the lights evenly distributed.

Can comment and advise?

I am tempted to change my current PLs to FLs.

[taz]

If you into FLs 4 x 15W would do for most plants. If PLs, a 2 x 36W set will let you grow any plants. I'm using a JBJ 2 x 36W but I see no difference with other brands. They should be of the similar brightness if the Kelvin is the same (6000K~6500K). Just a thought.

[Ruff]

About 2 weeks ago when I was at Aquatic Concepts at Thomson Plaza, the owner Ivan told me that reflector and the FL tubes do make a lot of difference.

In his 4 ft Dennerle show tank, he uses only 4X38W FL and yet he has no problem with his hairgrass.

Of the two sets of lights (2X38W each), one set is using Dennerle FL tube and Dennerle reflector. He said they are very good but of course more expensive compared to other brands.

May be you want to go down take a look to see the difference between a good and a normal reflector.

(Although the shop location is not so convenient, but it is worthwhile to take a look as the Dennerle show tank there has the full set of Dennerle equipment in action. PH controller, bubble counter, ph indicator, night valve, CO2 tank .....)

[hjbyeo]

To Ruff,

I will make a trip down this weekend.

To Taz,

Haiz, I don't think currently there a light sets small enough for me to put two sets on a tank my size, unless I DIY?? Any suggestion?

Hows your JBJ one with 2 PL tubes? Do the lights cover the entire tank pretty evenly or do you seem to have the two ends lesser in intensity since the PL tubes are slight shorter? That I am facing in my ATMAN one.