Coralife 10,000k???

Boohoo

Boohoo

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Feb 22, 2005
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Bridgewater,Nova Scotia
My 55g came with two 18 inch 15 watt flourescent bulbs. They don't seem to be too bright. I was browsing at BIG ALS and came across Coralife 10,000k Flourescent bulbs 18 inch 15 watt. Would these be acceptable to use ? I am a newbie to plants and am wondering if they would be good for just starting out? What kind of plants would grow fairly well with these bulbs? I don't want to spend a couple hundred bucks until I find out if plants are my thing. I am currently doing a fishless cycle on the 55g. The plants in there at present are a red ludwiga, water wisteria, 2 hygro and something that looks like little teardrops. :help:
 
Boohoo said:
My 55g came with two 18 inch 15 watt flourescent bulbs. They don't seem to be too bright. I was browsing at BIG ALS and came across Coralife 10,000k Flourescent bulbs 18 inch 15 watt. Would these be acceptable to use ? I am a newbie to plants and am wondering if they would be good for just starting out? What kind of plants would grow fairly well with these bulbs? I don't want to spend a couple hundred bucks until I find out if plants are my thing. I am currently doing a fishless cycle on the 55g. The plants in there at present are a red ludwiga, water wisteria, 2 hygro and something that looks like little teardrops. :help:
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10, 000 K will give you a more "bluish" tint, and allow you to grow just about any plant. However, its your watts that will be of some concern. At 30 watts of lighting in a 55 gallon, id say the only plants youd be able to grow are......

Water sprite (as you have)
Java moss
Java Fern
Anabius
and possibly some Crypts.

Your ludwiga will most likely die off, as may your hygro.

A very nice tank could be created though with the plants above!
 
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I'll take all I can get without spending alot of money. My canopy's take the bulbs with the pins on both ends. Is there anything anyone can suggest to give me the most light possible in this setup.
 
Kasakato said:
No plants. You want something thats at about 6500k. The 10,000k bulb is for marine tanks, and will give you alage problems if used in a freshwater set up. Are you aiming for a low, med, or high light tank?
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Are you sure?

Ive seen planted tank grown with 10, 000K bulbs. Also Blinky here uses them with great success.
 
I've got 4 x 10000K white bulbs. They are 55 watt each. Plants grow beautifully to the point I have to trim weekly. The light brings out bright greens, however, I'm not satisfied with how red plants look under it. A yellower light would bring out the reds I think. But, I'm using it with success and red plants grow fine under it. So, its ok. Its the wattage you need to be concerne about. 3 watts per gallon and up is the best for growing a wide variety of plants.
 
yes length and wattage go together, there are some 96 watt bulbs that are longer at 18,000K color spectrum. The 10,000K bulbs are meant to penetrate deepr water, but have the full color spectrum of sunlight. Anything above 3000k is beneficial to the plants. Sunlight measures 5000K at noon. This is as I understand it......... Not saying much of course as I be a newbie too! :dance2:

I might change 2 of my bulbs for 6700K white color spectrum when the 4 need to be replaced in a year or so. Right now it works for me.
The tannk has changed alot since this month old pic in my signature. I'd take an updated pic, but I'm out of batteries for my camera at the moment.
 
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