Here's my pickle (not literally) ;)

DevonBlaine

DevonBlaine

tropical fishy aficionado
Aug 18, 2006
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Oklahoma City
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As some of you may know, I have a 29g planted tank.
I currently have 1-20w aquaglo (18,000k) and 1-15w floraglo (2800k) over the tank whick is hardly enough light for low-light plants. :hang:

So, I bought an Odyssea 30" 130W (2x65W) Compact Fluorescent Fixture with 1x65W CF Daylight 12000K bulb, 1x65W CF actinic blue bulb :huh:

I dont think the actinic will work for my plants (or the 12000k for that matter .. ideal range 5,000 - 10,000) :thud:

I dont know if I should use the 12000k that comes with it, or what spectrums to go with. I cant seem to find a 65w 6700k for under $20.

++the compact fluorescents are straight pin, anything that would fit in a 30" hood (I believe 21" .. maybe 24" --that would also be helpful)++

Any suggestions? :bowing:
 
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The "K" simply refers to the color of the bulb - it's possible to have a 12000K full spectrum bulb. Being that it's labelled as a daylight bulb, it's probably full spectrum and fine for plants. The actinic would be more for marine tanks. You could replace that bulb with another full spectrum.
 
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webcricket said:
The "K" simply refers to the color of the bulb - it's possible to have a 12000K full spectrum bulb. Being that it's labelled as a daylight bulb, it's probably full spectrum and fine for plants. The actinic would be more for marine tanks. You could replace that bulb with another full spectrum.
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i agree ditch the The actinic and get a white bulb.
 
Anything around 3000-10000K will be fine for plants. The actinic won't do much except give your tank a blue tint. The wavelength is not what the plants are looking for.
 
Kelvin is more important for the look of your tank. Too high of a K rating will wash out the tank in a extra whites light. You will probably get used to it, but it really isn't esseantial to try and achieve some perfect K rating. My bulbs are 5000K in my 29 gallon and the plants grow well but they grow like weeds in my 10 gallon with 3700K bulbs.
 
hmm

lowes has a surpising selection of lights. you can try walmart and might get lucky if they are freshly stocked.
 
If you can find the color chart for the 12,000k bulb you can determine if it'll work but I wouldn't be surprised if it does. Whether you like the color is what's important.

Just a warning, having over 4wpg of CF lights is alot of lighting. You're going to need alot of plants, CO2, and daily fertilizing. If you can turn off the bulbs individually, leaving a bulb off will still give you over 2wpg and the ability to grow plenty of plant. Then just keep the actinic for some accent lighting.
 
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