what spectrum lights do i need?

Originally posted by quick061
thx i'll look into them.
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Before you run off to Home Depot, I have corrections to make! :)

I was just at HD tonight and I did not see any of the GE Chroma50 bulbs. Every light rack was stuffed with Philips bulbs...no GE's at all.

They still carry the Philips F40DX 6500k bulbs, but this time they were packaged in light blue individual boxes or shrink-wrapped in to pairs. I got two of these bulbs for only $5.99! They do have a 5000K Philips bulb too, but I can't remember the color of the packaging. The kelvin rating is cleary written on each box though, so it should be easy to find.

Your Home Depot mileage may vary ;)
 
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ok the hardware stores around me suck and there is no home depot. there is one about half an hour away i'm going to try tonight but i'm not sure how good it is so i'm not anticipating a good selection.

however, at the petco here they have 18,000K bulbs for planted aquariums. would those work? is it better to have all the same spectrum or a few high with a few low?
 
Home depot lights...

Just in case you were wonder gcvt, I was at our local HD several weeks ago looking for some more of the compact flourescent bulbs I had bought before and couldn't find them. I asked one of the associates and he told me that HD had just made some kind of deal with Phillips to only carry Phillips bulbs. They are phasing out all the stock of 'old' bulbs from other manufacturers, so you might want to stock up now! My problem is that several of the fixtures I bought to put over my tanks use the T-8 bulbs which are harder to find! And try finding a 36" T-8 bulb above 4,100 K temp! I took my forever to find a dual-light 36" fixture and then it only came it T-8! I found the 36" T-8 bulbs at HD, but these are only 4,100 K and I'd really like to get some of the 6,500 K ones! Only place I've seen them is at a LFS for over $20 ea!

What size bulbs are you referring to in the 6,500K range? Length and what 'T' size?

Thanks Bill C.
 
Sorry to ask a dumb question but if plants evolved for sunlight and sunlight is 5000K why would you want 6500K or higher? Unless its just asthetics.

Gumby
 
Re: Home depot lights...

Originally posted by Dwarfnut
Just in case you were wonder gcvt, I was at our local HD several weeks ago looking for some more of the compact flourescent bulbs I had bought before and couldn't find them. I asked one of the associates and he told me that HD had just made some kind of deal with Phillips to only carry Phillips bulbs. They are phasing out all the stock of 'old' bulbs from other manufacturers, so you might want to stock up now! My problem is that several of the fixtures I bought to put over my tanks use the T-8 bulbs which are harder to find! And try finding a 36" T-8 bulb above 4,100 K temp! I took my forever to find a dual-light 36" fixture and then it only came it T-8! I found the 36" T-8 bulbs at HD, but these are only 4,100 K and I'd really like to get some of the 6,500 K ones! Only place I've seen them is at a LFS for over $20 ea!

What size bulbs are you referring to in the 6,500K range? Length and what 'T' size?

Thanks Bill C.
Click to expand...

Ahh, that explains it. I was a little thrown off not seeing any GE products on the shelves.

The 6500k bulbs I was referring to ar T-12 size and 48" long.

HTH :)
 
Originally posted by Gumby7
Sorry to ask a dumb question but if plants evolved for sunlight and sunlight is 5000K why would you want 6500K or higher? Unless its just asthetics.

Gumby
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Yes, on some tanks, or some preferences, the higher Kelvin can look better.
 
What are the K's of the plant and aquarium bulb on gcvt's post????

I like that setup!
 
hey beviking - 3200K! Try doing some research yourself sometime!:mad:
 
FYI,
I was at Home Depot this weekend and did find that Phillips makes a "daylight" type bulb in the 48" T-12 size. Not exactly sure of the name, but they are cheap and have a rating of 6,500 K. I bought a couple and really like the way they look. Again, I'm not exactly sure of the name, but they are sold in packages of 2 and are under $6 for both!

I found that I like having a mix of these and the 'regular' aquarium bulbs you can get at HD also. I have 3 of the 'daylight' bulbs and one aquarium bulb over my 75 gallon and think it looks great now!

Bill C.
 
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