Here's my pickle (not literally) ;)

[DevonBlaine]

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:

 

[webcricket]

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.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

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.

i agree ditch the The actinic and get a white bulb.

 

[DevonBlaine]

i agree ditch the The actinic and get a white bulb.

c'mon gamer, you're a guru of this stuff .. you gotta have more advice than that! :dance2: lol

is the Kelvin rating really gonna be that important?

 

[Mgamer20o0]

i get lazy late at night. i try to get lights in the 6700k range. like webcricket said look for a full spectrum bulb.

 

[reiverix]

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.

 

[TKOS]

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.

 

[DevonBlaine]

thanks guys
so I can probably keep the 12000k but should find a 2800k or so to go with it to make it look more balanced?
Any idea where I could find one without spending a ton?

 

[Yoemen]

hmm

lowes has a surpising selection of lights. you can try walmart and might get lucky if they are freshly stocked.

 

[phanmc]

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.