What should my K rating be?

[Notophthalmus]

You can get 6700 K bulbs at most home improvement stores for less than you can at the LFS. Sylvania 'Daylight' bulbs are one example.

 

[DAVIDFBT]

:wall::wall: I forgot to think about home improvement stores. Good thing I didn't order the lights from the internet yet.

 

[Star_Rider]

You can get 6700 K bulbs at most home improvement stores for less than you can at the LFS. Sylvania 'Daylight' bulbs are one example.

:thumbsup::thumbsup: the issue I seem to be finding now is as the T-12 are phased out the T-8 k range /spectrum range is not quite as broad..

 

[Reddog80p]

Would 18,000K be overkill? I saw a really cheap one at Petsmart called Aqua-Glo, its made by Hagen, so it has to be good.

I have those same bulbs in t8's. I have them in an unplanted tank, and they are very bright whiteish bue tint. They enhance the color of the fish. The packaging says they are ideal for planted tanks. I've heard ppl use a combination of a higher K rating bulb and a 6700K (daylight) for best results in planted tanks. I like them alot in my unplanted setup for the 36" T8 bulbs I paid $13 a piece at my LFS.