6700k or 7800k bulb ?

FISHSHROD

FI double SH ROD
Aug 18, 2005
3,147
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Pompano Beach,Fl.
Real Name
Mark
What bulb is better for a planted tank , 6700 or 7800 k ?:help:

Thanks,
[\[\ark
 
really, anything between 6500-10000k is fine for plants. Although, I prefer 7800k more. It has less of a yellow tinge.
 
That's what I was thinking. I have been tossing around the idea to go planted on my 120 . Originally I was thinking bout using some of my old halides but now I might use my old vho and pc units instead beacuse of heat issues in the closet where the tank is located.
I have 4- 32watt 5000k NO's , 2- 110 pc's ,and a 110 vho. I imagine with the combo of the 5000's, 7800's and the 10,000 vho it would work well as far as pleasing to the eye and also good for plant growth.
Any comments , thanks :)
 
to be honest it is really a matter of light spectrum more than k rating.
anything in the range you have will suffice as long as it provides proper spectrum.
 
A lot of people will say different things but IME the 6,700k-6,500k make my plants show the best color. The lower end of the spectrum is a little yellow/green but for red/pink/orange plants its the best. I have what they call a 20,000k bulb that came with one of my PC light fixtures and the same plants that show red in other tanks grow green. But none the less the 20,000k light grows the plants as well as the 6,500k lights.
Its either your plants choice or yours
 
I like using 10000k because of the very white light, no yellow tint like in the lower Ks, and then mix and match other bulbs to get the desired color.

When I grow red plants I use the 9235k GE bulbs and mix it with 10000k, really brings out the red.

When growing mostly green I use 10000k and 6700k, most 6700k I've used seems to have a high spike in the green wavelength and the plants look really green.

If you have iridescent or blue fishes, a 50/50 half actinic would be a good choice to mix in.
 
Thanks for the interesting aspects. I really do like it a little more on the whiter color side . I used to run 6500k iwaski metal halide on my reef which was very yellow and mixed it with 20,000k hqi and it looked awsome (400w 6500k and 800w 20,000k).
This freshwater planted stuff should be a fun project .
I appreciate the replies :)
 
I like using 10000k because of the very white light, no yellow tint like in the lower Ks, and then mix and match other bulbs to get the desired color.

When I grow red plants I use the 9235k GE bulbs and mix it with 10000k, really brings out the red.

When growing mostly green I use 10000k and 6700k, most 6700k I've used seems to have a high spike in the green wavelength and the plants look really green.

If you have iridescent or blue fishes, a 50/50 half actinic would be a good choice to mix in.

I heard that about the 9235k bulbs. Never had a chance to try them.
 
9325K(reds) mixed with a 50/50(blues) looks best. If there is room for more lights, add a 6500K(greens) or two to the mix and you can't go wrong.
 
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