Plant lighting (Kelvin)?

[moore1]

I have a 46gallon tank with a AGA dual 55watt HOCompact bulbs. I need replacement bulbs and want to know the best for my tank setup. I have a fully planted tank and run the carbo plus unit with it on a timer. What 55watt Kelvin bulbs should I use? The default bulbs were 9375 kelvin each. I have been told that plant flourish between 5000 to 8000 kelvin? Is this correct or what is recommended?

Thanks,

Mike

[GulfCstAquarian]

The color temperature of a bulb is only an indication of whether or not a bulb is good for plants. Generally, good plant bulbs fall into the 5000K-6500K range, but the 9325K bulb you have is probably the
GE fresh and saltwater 9325K 55watt PC bulb (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=6&pCatId=3773)

If so, this is actually a very good plant bulb, even though the Color Temperature indicates it is not. It has strong output in the Photosynthetic Action Spectrum. Photosynthetic Available Radiation (PAR) is a better indication of a bulb's desireability for plant growth, but is not commonly advertised.

The GE 9325K bulbs are a bit expensive, and hard to find, so I'd recommend this bulb instead:
55w PC lamp - Type = Plant Growth: $22 (http://www.petsupplyliquidator.com/htm/replacementbulbs_pwrcompacts.htm)

[moore1]

Which one of the bulbs in the dropdown off that site would you use?

[Slappy*McFish]

Just be sure you look for "full spectrum" bulbs...anywhere from 4000-8000K is just fine for plants.