PL18w Sunlight & Tropical Lighting Tube from Aqua One - (53032) Aqua One's PL18w Sunlight & Tropical Lighting Tube provides high output, low energy lighting in a number of Aqua One aquariums, including: AquaStyle 620 and AquaStyle 620T models. Equally the PL18 Sunlight & Tropical Lamp will work in any other aquarium that is designed to accept this lighting format.
It's a good idea to always keep a spare lighting tube for your Aqua One aquarium. Your fish depend on aquarium lighting to regulate their internal clock, so they know when it's time to be active, time to be fed or time to sleep. Whilst your fish don't need light to survive, periods of time without light may leave them a little disorientated.
Replace every 6 months All fluorescent lighting output starts to diminish from the moment first used and this is also the case with all PL18 lighting, including the PL18w Sunlight & Tropical Lighting Tube . After around 6 months of normal use, the spectral output of your PL18 lamp will have diminished to the point that a replacement is recommended.
It's sometimes difficult to tell just how much the lighting output has actually diminished until a new tube is installed, as the loss of spectral output over time is gradual. However you may find that algae has started to take hold or that your livestock isn't quite as active as it should be and if you are purchasing a second hand aquarium that utilizes PL18w lighting, we'd recommend that you change the lighting tubes straight away.
Choose the correct PL-18w Lamp(s) for your setup In addition to the PL18 Sunlight & Tropical featured here, there are four other lighting options that you may wish to consider. Each has it's unique features so that you can acheive exactly the right lighting in your aquarium. If you have an aquarium with more than one PL-18 tube you may even wish to experiment with your lighting options. In any case, here's a quick guide to PL-18 Lighting from Aqua One:
PL-18w Sunlight
The PL18w Sunlight Tube is the brighest of all the PL18 lighting and provides a brighter white output which aims to mimic natural sunlight in your aquarium. It not only provides a nice amount of light for your fish but is also ideal if you have a planted aquarium.
PL-18w Sunlight / Tropical mix
This is the lighting tube that comes with most Aqua One aquariums that use the PL18 format. It provides a really nice balance of bright white light which mixes with the pink tropical light to bring out and enhance the natural colours of your fish.
PL-18w Tropical
Producing a very warm, pink light, the PL-18w tropical lighting tube is ideal where softer, richer lighting is desired. This lighting tube is somewhat duller than the sunlight / mix tube and for this reason is not ideal if you have live plants to consider.
PL-18w Sunlight / Marine Blue mix
The PL-18 Sunlight / Blue mix tube is generally best suited to the aquarist seeking a marine style light, whilst retaining a reasonable amount of bright white light. This tube gives a colder light than the Sunlight / Tropical mix lamp
PL-18w Marine Blue
Marine Blue PL-18 lighting tubes are mainly used in marine aquarium setups or where a very specific and natural under the sea effect is desired. This tube is not as bright as the PL18w sunlight / marine Blue mix tube listed above.
How to change your PL18w Sunlight & Tropical Lighting Tube Please be patient when changing your PL-18 Lighting tube as it's usually quite a tight fit. To remove the tube you're replacing it's best to hold the base of the PL Lamp and wiggle the old tube out of it's socket. Do take your time as the glass tube can break rather easily and likewise,when installing the new PL lamp, please use the base to push the replacement PL18 lamp firmly into the socket.
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Need help? If you are unsure of exactly which PL-18w lamp or indeed any other Aqua One lighting that would be best for your aquarium, please do contact us. We are the UK's leading authority on all that is Aqua One .
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