I have a power compact that needs square pin bulbs are most square pin bulbs universal by that i mean if I buy the same watt bulb that the fixture had and its square pin should it fit? Next question is whats the difference between 10000k and 6700k as far as looks go? is one more orange looking then the other and if so wich. I dont plan on using the power compact for plants well maybe but for now just looks. I might through some java moss in for may fish.
power compact light questions
- Thread starter wantsome48091
- Start date
If you get bulbs that are the same shape, with the same pin configuration and wattage, they should fit AFAIK.
Colour temperature is something I'm still learning about, but I can tell you that 10 000K is 'bluer' than 6700K. The 6700Ks will look more natural to the eye - it's supposed to approximate daylight at noon.
Colour temperature is something I'm still learning about, but I can tell you that 10 000K is 'bluer' than 6700K. The 6700Ks will look more natural to the eye - it's supposed to approximate daylight at noon.
I think all square pins are the same shape. I also think that 10,000K is more for saltwater fish. Not sure exactly why. 6500K is more for freshwater, especially plants.
The higher number penetrates deeper. You need it for taller tanks. Read that as "buy the 10,000."
I'm not sure it's an ideal bulb by itself - AFAIK bulbs with that rating are generally mixed with other Ks in saltwater tanks. It wouldn't be my choice if I was considering going planted, or for viewing for that matter (the human eye prefers a 'redder' light - household incandescents are ~2300K). I think 10000K by itself may wash out the colours of the fish and give the tank a bit of an eerie look.
It's really too bad they don't have different K bulbs set up over tanks in the LFS so you can compare (not practical, I know) - I was at Home Depot tonight and they've got a whole wall full of bulbs; above each type of bulb, there's one plugged in and working so you can look at all of them and compare the colour, brightness, etc. Fantastic idea.
It's really too bad they don't have different K bulbs set up over tanks in the LFS so you can compare (not practical, I know) - I was at Home Depot tonight and they've got a whole wall full of bulbs; above each type of bulb, there's one plugged in and working so you can look at all of them and compare the colour, brightness, etc. Fantastic idea.
i'll back up what blinky said.
I have a '18,000K and it's very blue. I think someone said it's actually more like a 6700, but anyway.. it's extremely blue and does wash out the fish colors a bit, however i really like the look of a more dark and eerie tank, and it seems to be excellent for the plants..
I have a '18,000K and it's very blue. I think someone said it's actually more like a 6700, but anyway.. it's extremely blue and does wash out the fish colors a bit, however i really like the look of a more dark and eerie tank, and it seems to be excellent for the plants..
The kelvin rating is an attempt to describe the color of the light spectrum emitted by a particular bulb. The higher the kelvin the more blue the bulb. Although it's true that blue wavelengths penetrate water deeper than red/yellow wavelengths, I don't think it's correct to say that higher Kelvin bulbs are necessary for deep tanks. I believe it is more correct to say that taller tanks require a higher light intensity as measured by wattage, lumens, PAR or something similar if you're concerned about plant (or coral) growth.
10,000K is considered the "daylight" bulb for SW folks who traditionally like a more blue look for a variety of reasons. Coral/Fish colors appear more natural under this type of lighting and flouresence is increased with lighting in the actinic wavelengths.
6,500K bulbs are often referred to as ultra daylight for freshwater. I think they give a bright white light with a slightly bluish tint. IMO, colors in freshwater tanks look best somewhere around 6,500K.
In the end, its personal preference.
10,000K is considered the "daylight" bulb for SW folks who traditionally like a more blue look for a variety of reasons. Coral/Fish colors appear more natural under this type of lighting and flouresence is increased with lighting in the actinic wavelengths.
6,500K bulbs are often referred to as ultra daylight for freshwater. I think they give a bright white light with a slightly bluish tint. IMO, colors in freshwater tanks look best somewhere around 6,500K.
In the end, its personal preference.
I myself was just in this same position.
The square pin configuration is simply the Japanese standard and the linear pin configuration is the German/European standard that most everyone uses. I had a really poor selection of lights to choose from becuase of this. It seems that most bulbs that come in the square configuration have at least half actinic for reef and salt water tanks. When it comes time to buy new bulbs I might just look into removing the square pin boots and splicing in new linear connectors.
I decided to purchase the Daylight 10.000K/6500K bulb. It does seem a little...off. I thought that it was just maybe too bright, but after reading this thread I have to think that perhaps it may be the spectrum. I was also thinking that it might be fixable if I just put in a darker substrate as I dont think that it is washing out the colors of the fish or plants. The plants dont seem to mind the new lights either.
On a side note I was doing a water change the other day and had the lights on while leaned up against the side of the tank. When I came back to get more water I noticed that the plants on that side wall of the tank were pearling. It was very cool
Hope this helped some.
The square pin configuration is simply the Japanese standard and the linear pin configuration is the German/European standard that most everyone uses. I had a really poor selection of lights to choose from becuase of this. It seems that most bulbs that come in the square configuration have at least half actinic for reef and salt water tanks. When it comes time to buy new bulbs I might just look into removing the square pin boots and splicing in new linear connectors.
I decided to purchase the Daylight 10.000K/6500K bulb. It does seem a little...off. I thought that it was just maybe too bright, but after reading this thread I have to think that perhaps it may be the spectrum. I was also thinking that it might be fixable if I just put in a darker substrate as I dont think that it is washing out the colors of the fish or plants. The plants dont seem to mind the new lights either.
On a side note I was doing a water change the other day and had the lights on while leaned up against the side of the tank. When I came back to get more water I noticed that the plants on that side wall of the tank were pearling. It was very cool
Hope this helped some.
As said before, as long as the pins line up and the wattage is matched correctly, you'll be fine.
There's not much in terms of scientific material as to what K rating is best for bulbs. However, I have read over and over again that bulbs in the 5000-7000k range are best for plants. The higher the K rating the more white/blue the light will look, the lower the K rating, the more yellow the light will look. 10000k bulbs will work fine for a plant tank. I had a 10000k PC fixture over a small plant tank at one time and the plants grew just fine. However, I personally prefer 6700k bulbs and currently have them over my 70gallon tank.
HTH
-Rich
There's not much in terms of scientific material as to what K rating is best for bulbs. However, I have read over and over again that bulbs in the 5000-7000k range are best for plants. The higher the K rating the more white/blue the light will look, the lower the K rating, the more yellow the light will look. 10000k bulbs will work fine for a plant tank. I had a 10000k PC fixture over a small plant tank at one time and the plants grew just fine. However, I personally prefer 6700k bulbs and currently have them over my 70gallon tank.
HTH
-Rich