Are 50/50 lights plant friendly?

[SilentMajority]

First post, I appreciate all who keep this site up and those who keep it current. The information among all the threads has given me the best aquaria education I could ever expect.

I'm setting a ~47 gallon acrylic reef tank for freshwater, and I just bought a Coralife 20" 96 watt light fixture to mount in my canopy for very cheap, but without a bulb. It is a single quad-tube power compact bulb, and I only have two choices for light color; 6700K or 50/50 (half 10,000K and half blue actinic). I was nearly set on the 6700K for my lightly planted freshwater plans, when an LFS employee seemed determined to turn me away from the 6700K, saying it would be too yellow and not necessary. He was saying that the 50/50 would easily support plants, but would be better at making the fish colors "pop". haha. What are your opinions on 50/50 lights for freshwater?

My plans are to end up very lightly planted, some java moss here, java fern there. Maybe some type of grass up front. Red ludwigia. Simple stuff, no CO2. The tank is cubish, lights being mounted about 38" from the substrate. Thanks for any and all replies.:)

[j_chicago]

Could be used far as I know, But plants aren't as efficent at using the 10000k compared to the 5000k-7500k temps. Not totally sure here, I could be completely wrong, but if half the light is a cooler temp, doesn't that cut what would be 2wpg down to a "useable (plantwise)" 1wpg (someone please correct me here, might be the Rumple Mintz talking)? Were the 50/50 that much more expensive at the LFS? I personaly would stick to the 6700k.

edit: were you able to use more lighting in the canopy? on my first planted tank I used both the 6700k fixture and the factory 13w NO bulb that came with the tank. Now I just use 6500k bulbs and are happy with them.

[Mgamer20o0]

Welcome to AC. i dont often plug sites but.... http://www.aape.naturalaquariums.com/ a AZ plant club. great place to get local help and maybe clippings to get you going. from what i seen on the site they seem cool.

first of what do you want to do? if your looking for low light plants the 50/50 should be fine. if you want higher light plants maybe co2 i would go with the 6700k bulb. i think 6700k looks fine.

[SilentMajority]

Thanks for the answers. The two varieties of bulbs are identical in price, although those two are the only two available anywhere I could find, even online, and are expensive (at least $40). Thats why I'm asking, otherwise I'd buy both or something. This light fixture will nearly completely cover the top of the canopy. I guess I will try the 50/50, I'm not planning on heavy planting or ever using C02 for a tank like this. And I hope the color of the 50/50 would suit me well, making a good comprimise between the two bulbs.

[SilentMajority]

Welcome to AC. i dont often plug sites but.... http://www.aape.naturalaquariums.com/ a AZ plant club. great place to get local help and maybe clippings to get you going. from what i seen on the site they seem cool.


Thanks for the link. I've looked for local forums before without success. Looks like good people and info there.

[Mgamer20o0]

http://www.tfhmagazine.com/resources/clubs/

might be others. havent had a chance to go to their meeting. never seem to be in town when they have it.

[TwoTankAmin]

Actinic light is of no benefit to plants.