Rick wrote:
I have some light bulbs labeled T12 and some T10 and see some in catalogs
listed as T8. What is the difference, they appear the same to me. And while
I'm at it, are 2 40watt (80w total) bulbs enough to support plants in a
90gal tank? Seems to keep the plastic ones alive



T12 are the traditional, fat 40w fluorescent tubes. T8 are thinner, 32w
tubes used in modern fixtures with electronic ballsts. I have T12 and T8
around the house, but have no idea about T10.

The usual recommendation for plant lighting is at least 1.5w per gallon.
I'm using 5 T12 tubes over my planted 90 gallon aquarium, and it seems
to be enough. I cut back to 3 T12 for a year in an attempt to reduce
alagae, and the plants still grew.

Speaking of plastic, when I was a child we had some plastic fish as well
as real ones. The plastic fish floated, and were held in place by
monofilament nylon with a lead sinker. Does anyone remember these?

Steve