Lighting Change - Aquarium Plants

aronson · **Lighting Change -** 08-22-2005, 02:06 PM

Hello all,

Woke this morning to find that my one of my two CF bulbs (a 55W/6500K) was split at the end. With no LFS in convenient driving distance I ran to the local electrical supply house and picked up all they had in stock -- a 55W/3500K.

Is this a bulb I should refrain from using for the long term? Aside from it's garish red hue is this a bulb that will be of benefit or detrement to my plants in the long term? My other bulb is a 65W 50/50.

Then I got to thinking... Should I change both bulbs? Any suggstions?

Thanks,
Adam

Greg Watson · **Re: Lighting Change -** 08-22-2005, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aronson

Hello all,

Woke this morning to find that my one of my two CF bulbs (a 55W/6500K) was split at the end. With no LFS in convenient driving distance I ran to the local electrical supply house and picked up all they had in stock -- a 55W/3500K.

Is this a bulb I should refrain from using for the long term? Aside from it's garish red hue is this a bulb that will be of benefit or detrement to my plants in the long term? My other bulb is a 65W 50/50.

Then I got to thinking... Should I change both bulbs? Any suggstions?

Thanks,
Adam

In Tom's March Barr Report on Lighting (you can read it here: Up-Date (Can it be done) ) ... Tom writes:

Quote:

7. Cool white (4100 Kelvin) flourescent lights work equally well in terms of plant growth as specialty aquarium bulbs ...

Tom continues and writes:

Quote:

Many aquarists find they can grow SAM's equally well and at similar growth rates using standard cheap cool white flourescent light bulbs as well as the expensive specialty aquarium plant light bulbs."

But here is the most important kicker in my opinion <grin> ... Tom continues to write:

Quote:

Greatest preference is generally given to the aquarists own eye's perceived color rather than to RGR measurements and other forms of quantatative measurements.

... so ... in the end ... I think it is your perception that probably matters most ... so when you write "aside from its garish red hue" ... I think that your opinion about whether it is garish or not is the most important factor for you to consider ...

If you like the red I suspect it will be just fine ... if you don't ... then change out the bulbs when the budget next allows for it ...

Greg

Tom Barr · **Re: Lighting Change -** 08-25-2005, 08:01 AM

Hellolights.com is (was?) selklinjg 8800K bulbs that have a great spectrum and COLOR for 2 for 1 pric e at 21$ sp about 11 $ ea!!!!

Make sure you get the right pin configuration!!!!!

Regards,
Tom Barr