Help! I've been reading everything under the sun about preferred lighting for optimal plant growth, but I cannot find the Kelvin rating for the bulbs I have in my tank!? Anywhere....even on the manufactures' website--if anyone has any idea, please let me know! I have a Marineland Eclipse 2 Filter/Hood which comes with (2) 15W Fluorescent lights, but after 2 months, my plant growth has been ridiculously slow. Because I am not content with leaving things alone...I went and bought (1) True Actinic blue light today and replaced one of the original lights with that, but am now reading this will probably cause algae. I'm lost--anyone know what the Kelvin temp is on these Eclipse lights?:help:
Finding my Kelvin Temperature?
- Thread starter kimberfromwindb
- Start date
Hee hee...I will answer my own question-in case anyone else needs this information--the bulbs are 5000K each....so a total of 10000k. I'm thinking I can afford to keep one of those and keep the actinic as well....any thoughts??
actinic is for saltwater.
kelvin color temp doesn't add up. 2 bulbs at 5000k means you have 5000k light.
kelvin color temp doesn't add up. 2 bulbs at 5000k means you have 5000k light.
Agreed the Actinic is not good for plants. 6700k - 10000k tubes would be best. What size is your tank, that hood will fit on 3 different sizes
what about 20'000k? Isn't that closer to natural light?
But I also read they are for salt water, but his doesn't make sense to me... can anyone explain?
Are still looking for the best option for planted tanks (tubes!)
But I also read they are for salt water, but his doesn't make sense to me... can anyone explain?
Are still looking for the best option for planted tanks (tubes!)
I'm not an expert, but if you type in 20000k on an internet search, all the bulbs you come up with are advertised for saltwater tanks.
Yes, I realized the same. But I wonder why recommended for saltwater only. What is the reason behind it? Logically the range of light is perfect for greens, but, no, they recommend it for salt water. Why?
Saltwater Reefs- 20,000K.
Freshwater Plants - 6,700K.
Plants require a different kelvin rating for optimum plant growth, this same rule applies for corals as they need a stronger, more intense light output.
Freshwater Plants - 6,700K.
Plants require a different kelvin rating for optimum plant growth, this same rule applies for corals as they need a stronger, more intense light output.
One
I appreciate you finding the K rating of the incandescent bulbs in an Eclipse Aquarium.
I now know why the plants in my two 5G hex's grow very slowly.
Two
As set forth in previous posts, summing of the Kelvin rating of two bulbs is inappropriate (While this assertion is not completely accurate it is very, very close to being true).
"All that is going on here" is increased wattage but your plants are still receiving 5000K lighting.
Three
You know the saying about opinions but IMHO the blue actinic bulb may be beneficial with your freshwater aquarium.
The blue light accelerates the production of chlorophyll by the plants.
I have two 7100K bulbs in my lighting system.
Four
Please refer to
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_body
for several charts which depict K and the associated color of visible light.
TR