bulb temperature questions

[CHINABOY1021]

i know the best spectrum for plants is 6,500k. but i was at Home Depot unable to find these temperatures.

the 4,100s are made by philis

any other suggestions?

also this might sound silly, but i just have to ask.

4,100Ks + 10,000Ks = 7,000k good for planting?

or are neither bulbs best for planting.

also i say perfect 6,500Ks at home depot. but they only come in 48Inch, my lights are 36in. is it a matter for lenght? or do they just not have it in stock?

thanks

[NJ Devils Fan]

Well, 6500 isn't the best, it is very good. You want to have it between 5000 and 6500. As for the size, I haven't seen anything less than 48" at Home Depot, so, you might need to get a bigger shot light, which is very cheap at Home Depot.

[CHINABOY1021]

i would consider getting bigger fixtures, BUT i've tried shop lights before and they make my tank look more like a lab.

the 4100s i found at HD were T-8s too! will it work for plants?

tank stats are: 36x18x24H
6 bulbs (240watts).

[NJ Devils Fan]

No, the temperature is just too low. The lowest you should go is 5000K.

[CHINABOY1021]

what can i do for my tank that doesnt require fixture change?

[NJ Devils Fan]

Nothing much other than buying the expensive bulbs at your LFS.

[125gJoe]

I've been told to look for lights that say "Full Spectrum". 6,500K or 6,700K is good.

10,000K will 'wash out' colors on a FW aquarium.

[NJ Devils Fan]

Thanks for reminding me Joe. CB, you want the bulbs to be over 85 color rating index(CRI).

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by NJ Devils Fan
Nothing much other than buying the expensive bulbs at your LFS. Actually, that's where you will find (if you're lucky) Full Spectrum bulbs. Or, go online and order. The hardware store bulbs (Soft White) are not the best for aquarium use. IMO

[Hebdizzle]

I just bought a new 18 inch 5500 degree bulb today. The one that came with my AGA hood had a purple tint to it. it was weird.

aaron

[Robert H]

Try another Home Depot or another store. Phillips and GE make bulbs in the 6000 k range....they are called daylight or super daylight, Chroma 50, Chroma 75. Talk to the manager of the light dept to see if they can order them for you in the size you need.

[CHINABOY1021]

that will definitly help

what's the smallest size bulb you guys have seen with 6000k?

[MFish]

Custom Sea Life makes "Amazon Plant Bulbs"

They are 55watt power-compact bulbs that are 5,500k and are perfect for most plant setups

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by MFish
Custom Sea Life makes "Amazon Plant Bulbs"

They are 55watt power-compact bulbs that are 5,500k and are perfect for most plant setups quote from website "5000K -Amazon Plant Lamp
For Luscious Plants

High lumen full spectrum daylight lamp that utilizes a triphosphor blend of the highest quality rare earth phosphors. This lamp is ideal for planted aquariums and freshwater tanks. "

I missed that on their website. Now I wish I could re-order and have the 5000K's up front and 6700K's in the back of my aquarium... Oh well, next time.. The 6700K's all around should be fine. (I like tinkering with lighting..) :)

[Aquafreak]

I read alot on bulb temperatures for planted tanks on the net, everyone has their own opinion about it, but most tend to lean toward 6,500k bulbs which is a reddish purplish kinda color. I myself use 7000k bulbs without mixing with any other colored bulbs and have found no difference in plant growth. Sometimes when your dead set on trying to find 6500k bulbs you'll have no choice but to buy them from LFS and therefore buying more expensively, try experimenting with cheaper bulbs that might not be the perfect color temperature, of course don't goto the extremes of the colors, I've tried alot of different colored temp bulbs and really, for a hobbyist, it doesn't make a whole lot of difference. Amano himself uses high color temp bulbs, his bulbs appear more greenish than what most people would call "ideal color temp bulbs".

So there you have it, try what pleases your eyes and cost effective.

HTH