Zoo Med T-8 Flora Sun Max Plant Growth Fluorescent Bulb, 18″ L, 15 Watts
$23.04
Price: $23.04
(as of Apr 05, 2025 09:08:50 UTC – Details)
This high intensity lamp with peak emissions in the blue and red regions serves to maximize the photo biological processes in plants. The emission spectrum closely resembles the absorption curve of chlorophyll-A, promoting maximum photosynthesis, ideal for planted aquariums, or terrariums. Also great for shy fish species such as dwarf cichlids, discus, etc. Use in conjunction with Ultra Sun or Tropic Sun. Zoo Meds line of fluorescent aquarium lamps are made in Europe for ultra high quality, color, and longer burn life. Our energy saving T-8 sizes can save you up to $30.00 per year in electricity over the thicker T-12 size lamps. Effective up to 10,000 hours.
Product Dimensions : 18.2 x 1.5 x 1.2 inches; 2.4 ounces
Manufacturer recommended age : 1 month and up
Item model number : FL18
Date First Available : June 15, 2004
Manufacturer : Zoo Med Laboratories
ASIN : B001PBAUOO
Maximizes the photo biological processes in plants
Promotes photosynthetic processes in plants and marine algae
Ideal for planted aquariums and terrariums
Made in the USA
Customers say
Customers find the fluorescent bulb provides good light with a nice spectrum and appreciate its functionality as a grow light. The bulb receives positive feedback for its color accuracy, with one customer noting it creates a purplish-pink glow. While some customers consider it good value for money, others find it pricey. Customers disagree on the bulb’s durability, with some reporting it didn’t last a week.
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10 reviews for Zoo Med T-8 Flora Sun Max Plant Growth Fluorescent Bulb, 18″ L, 15 Watts
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$23.04
OneCoffeePlease –
My experiences with Zoo Med Coral Flora – Comparison with Zoo Med Ultra Sun and Zoo Med Reef Sun 50/50 – Photos of all three
To help give you a well rounded view of what kinds of Zoo Med bulbs are out there, I’m going to reference three Zoo Med bulbs I’ve purchased here on Amazon. I chose to work with the growth enhancing bulbs after we decided to add live plants to our aquarium.With regard to this light, the spectrum of colors are definitely in the range of pinks. My experience was that plant growth accelerated very well. Over a period of just over two weeks, there were some noticeable growth benefits. However, the pink hues seemed oddly unnatural and my family and I found that to be unappealing. On a positive color enhancing note, fish with red colors or red accents became more vibrantly red.Since we weren’t wild about the pinkish hues given off by this light, we decided to try Zoo Med Ultra Sun Trichromatic Super Daylight 6500K Fluorescent Bulb T8 15 Watt, 18-Inch – This light is more in line with natural sunlight and the color spectrum is in the “yellow” range. In the case of this light, plant growth was also accelerated. However, I noticed that algae growth was stimulated as well. With the Ultra Sun, to use the colors of our fish seemed to wash out; they appeared duller to us. Of course, this light is the most natural in appearance. I think we are just spoiled by the color effects of the other lights.Lastly, I’ve worked with Zoo Med Reef Sun 50and50 Fluorescent T8 Bulb 15 Watts, 18-Inch. This is actually the first light we tried (before we began using real plants). This light really isn’t geared toward plant growth. It provides light in the short wavelength blue region (more essential for photosynthetic corals and invertebrates). My family and I felt that fish color enhancement was best with this Zoo Med light. In my wife’s words, our aquarium “looks like a tropical jewel” with this light. Because of the blue hues of this light, the colors of blue fish are particularly stunning.UPDATE 11/24/2015: Well, things have changed with our aquarium. I have completely revamped it with a dense concentration of plants. I’ve done a lot of research and I’ve spoken to a very reputable plant vendor about the ideal light for my situation. My best option has turned out to be the Ultra Sun Trichromatic. When one takes into account the natural colors of both plants and fish, this light provides an environment most akin to nature. The color contrasts are beautiful. Moreover, my plant vendor (sells here on Amazon – SubstrateSource), recommended this light over the other two. The 6500 K output is part of that reason. When also used with Seachem Flourish and Flourish Excel, plants will get nutrients they need. I previously mentioned that algae growth was stimulated by this light. I am finding that Excel will help control algae. My plant vendor recommended ten hours of this light per day, flexible give or take two hours.FINAL THOUGHTS:Of course, all the color effects are subjective when it comes to personal taste. I just want to give you a general idea of what your options are based on my experience. If possible, see if your local pet shop carries and uses one or more of these lights. That way you can get a true idea of the lighting effects.FURTHER UPDATE:I am going to try to capture the subtle differences between these lights by posting photos of our aquarium using each one. Photo 1 is the Coral Flora Sun Plant. Photo 2 is the Reef Sun 50/50. Photo 3 is the Ultra Sun Trichromatic Super Daylight 6500.One last thing: You might want to price shop. I’ve noticed Amazon prices for these lights fluctuate greatly. Sometimes the prices are much better than pet shops and sometimes they are much worse. If this is important to you, you might want to do a little homework before you buy. I wish you much success with your fish keeping hobby!
BG –
Bright and produces a nice warm color
This bulb works great for my terrarium. The bulb produces a red/purple/pink sort of combination color of light. This is well balanced by the other 6500K bulb I have on top of the tank. I am happy that I now have light in both the blue and red spectrum. The plants are doing well and appear to have more accurate color under the lights with this bulb added.+ Price+ Instant on+ Works with timer+ Specifically for plants+ No buzzing or flickering+ Great for low light plants- No negatives to report_Bottom Line_ Yes, I would recommend this bulb to a friend. It “warms” the color of my terrarium while providing light necessary for maximum plant growth. Some higher light plants I have became leggy and did not flourish under only this bulb. When I moved the plants to the tank with brighter light including one 6500K and this bulb the plants began to thrive. My plants with lower light requirements thrived under this bulb exclusively.
R. Collison –
Also the plants seem to LOVE IT! If you have a light color substrate …
Definitely a red tint to the tank but the low-key brightness really appeals to the more shy fish. Also the plants seem to LOVE IT! If you have a light color substrate be aware that this will tint it red/purple.
BJP –
Hard to find but great for aquarium plants
I’m not even sure if these are still being made, they have become hard to find, but they are my favorite aquarium fluorescent tube bulb for a planted aquarium. Unfortunately light fixture hoods have gone way down in quality lately too, so I’ve had multiple occasions of thinking the bulb was bad, buying a replacement bulb, installing it, and having the new bulb also not work – resolved by replacing the fixture. Coupled with a proper fertilizer dosing regimen these do a good job of maximizing plant growth.
Da Vinchi –
Five Stars
Works well for one month and now it doesn’t light up
muddinjeeps –
Not good for aquarium
Not good for aquarium. I tried this for my planted 30 gallon tank, but it gave off poor color, dull looking fish and plants. Much happier to spend a few extra dollars on another brand.
Tim –
The bulbs made by Zoo Med have been a favorite choice. Good value and a natural looking brightness …
I’ve tried many bulbs over the years.My Main reason for buying a bulb is I want healthy plants in my tank.The bulbs made by Zoo Med have been a favorite choice.Good value and a natural looking brightness in the tank.My plants are doing well, so they are giving this review.This review was given after a couple years of using these.I also have a 48″ bulb on a 55 gallon that I am very happy with.Plus they are a good value. Not a bad price compared to some.
MadCarpenter –
Nice Bulb but Pricey
This bulb has that purplish-pink glow; like the ones you see above the fish tanks in your local pet store. Its red and blue phosphors and 5000*k color temperature rating really enhance the colors of freshwater tropical fish and live aquatic plants.But it’s relatively expensive compared to other 48″ t-8 fluorescent bulbs. (You can buy a package of two GE’s or Philips t-8’s at one of the ‘big box’ home improvement stores for around eight bucks.) The GE’s look off-white in comparison to the Flora Sun (even though they’re both rated 5000* Kelvin), but the combined effect of using one of each bulb is like looking at high noon on a warm sunny day in my fish tank.My live plants have begun to put on much new growth since I upped the amount of light in the tank.
Nicole B –
This light works great and now I can enjoy seeing my fish again since the last light had burnt out.
M –
Good product !