Which bulbs?

[caffeine]

I'm ordering some 24" 20W bulbs from bigal's and I need some advice. They have TropicSun 5500K bulbs for only $4.49 each, FloraSun 8500K bulbs for $7.99 each, and UltraSun 6500K bulbs for $10.49 each. Money is important here which is why I'm naming these cheaper bulbs as opposed to some $20 ones. Is there any reason I should get another bulb over the TropicSuns? According to ZooMed's website the FloraSun bulbs have greater intensities in the blue and red zones for better plant growth. Is this important or just marketing hype?

[125gJoe]

With these 3 choices, I'd get the 5500K or the 6500K.
The 8500K will be too 'white' -- the bluish color you won't even see. This 8500K will 'fade' the true colors of the aquarium. Green plants will appear 'washed out' in color... Meaning not the nice, true green color the plants are supposed to have.

I returned my 8800K's, (never seen 8500K's for sale), for 6500K's and would have liked to seen the 5500K's look.. HTH..

[125gJoe]

Hope this link helps you more...

Link: 5500K (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=14395&highlight=5500K)