Kelvin?!

danpbmx · 12-13-2002, 02:31 AM

i just set up a new south american tank, and i got these bulbs for free at my pet shop i work at and was wondering if they are okee...i have 2, 36 inch 30w 10,000K flourecent bulbs, they are an "earth defining spectrum" light as they say its not as bright, which i like alot, its more of a blue, i like how it isnt the some times "ugly yellow" in some plant lights...it says the bulb is good for growing plants and marine corals, also enhancing fish color, on my other tank i have 2 aqua glow bulbs,which i figure, are much differnt then what i am dealing with now, the plants in that tank are growing fine, am i going to run into any problems with the new bulbs i have on my new tank ...?!

russdesnoyer · 12-13-2002, 04:11 AM

Hey Dan,

People normally recommend bulbs with a bit lower Kelvin rating (either 6700K or ideally 5000K) to really keep plants healthy and growing. The 5000K's do have a bit of a yellowish cast to them whereas the 6700K's look a little more blue. On one of my larger tanks (6 x 96 watts) I use 2 6700K in the back and 4 5000K in the front and it looks really nice. I personally prefer the yellower light.

Hope this helps,
Russ

danpbmx · 12-13-2002, 07:53 PM

so does that mean that my plants arnt going to be heathy?? or is it not that bad?? should i get rid of 1 of the bulbs and get like a Flora-Glo or something...

SNPiccolo5 · 12-13-2002, 11:23 PM

If you can get a flora grow for free like the others then try it out, and see how it works. I really prefer the bulbs with higher CRI's (85+) because they look much more natural, however in a coral reef tank I don't like the higher CRIs as I think the blue looks much better with coral. If your plants don't seem to be growing, just switch the bulbs.

-Tim

m.lemay · 12-14-2002, 01:52 AM

I like to mix the bulbs. On my tank, for instance ,I have 2-5700K bulbs and 2-9325K. The 5700 are reddish and the 9325s are bluish, they seem to complement each other and give the tank a more natural look.

Buck · 12-14-2002, 03:15 AM

mixing bulbs is definately the way to go ... I run 5500k and 6500k...

It kinda gives a look of depth to the tank also with the 5500 in front and 6500 in back.

russdesnoyer · 12-14-2002, 03:16 AM

I definitely agree. Mixing the different wavelength bulbs makes for a really nice display...

Russ

danpbmx · 12-14-2002, 09:03 PM

i just set the tank up not to long ago, i have mayaca and vall. with some cobomba, also some very small swords and a brazillian sword so far...its a South American tank, fish from Guyana or Guinia or how ever you spell it i for got haha...ill have to see if the plants grow or not, if they do crappy within 3 weeks or so i will pick up a new bulb...

12-13-2002, 11:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
SNPiccolo5 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 859	If you can get a flora grow for free like the others then try it out, and see how it works. I really prefer the bulbs with higher CRI's (85+) because they look much more natural, however in a coral reef tank I don't like the higher CRIs as I think the blue looks much better with coral. If your plants don't seem to be growing, just switch the bulbs. -Tim __________________ Tank in transition! 55 gallons, hard water.

12-14-2002, 03:15 AM	#6 (permalink)
Buck Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Lebanon, CT Posts: 4,939	mixing bulbs is definately the way to go ... I run 5500k and 6500k... It kinda gives a look of depth to the tank also with the 5500 in front and 6500 in back. __________________ Buckmanshome.Com

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12-13-2002, 02:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
danpbmx Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 88	i just set up a new south american tank, and i got these bulbs for free at my pet shop i work at and was wondering if they are okee...i have 2, 36 inch 30w 10,000K flourecent bulbs, they are an "earth defining spectrum" light as they say its not as bright, which i like alot, its more of a blue, i like how it isnt the some times "ugly yellow" in some plant lights...it says the bulb is good for growing plants and marine corals, also enhancing fish color, on my other tank i have 2 aqua glow bulbs,which i figure, are much differnt then what i am dealing with now, the plants in that tank are growing fine, am i going to run into any problems with the new bulbs i have on my new tank ...?!

12-13-2002, 04:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
russdesnoyer Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 58	Hey Dan, People normally recommend bulbs with a bit lower Kelvin rating (either 6700K or ideally 5000K) to really keep plants healthy and growing. The 5000K's do have a bit of a yellowish cast to them whereas the 6700K's look a little more blue. On one of my larger tanks (6 x 96 watts) I use 2 6700K in the back and 4 5000K in the front and it looks really nice. I personally prefer the yellower light. Hope this helps, Russ

12-13-2002, 07:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
danpbmx Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 88	so does that mean that my plants arnt going to be heathy?? or is it not that bad?? should i get rid of 1 of the bulbs and get like a Flora-Glo or something...

12-14-2002, 01:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
m.lemay Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9/100%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Naugatuck, CT. Posts: 2,647	I like to mix the bulbs. On my tank, for instance ,I have 2-5700K bulbs and 2-9325K. The 5700 are reddish and the 9325s are bluish, they seem to complement each other and give the tank a more natural look.

12-14-2002, 03:16 AM	#7 (permalink)
russdesnoyer Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 58	I definitely agree. Mixing the different wavelength bulbs makes for a really nice display... Russ

12-14-2002, 09:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
danpbmx Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 88	i just set the tank up not to long ago, i have mayaca and vall. with some cobomba, also some very small swords and a brazillian sword so far...its a South American tank, fish from Guyana or Guinia or how ever you spell it i for got haha...ill have to see if the plants grow or not, if they do crappy within 3 weeks or so i will pick up a new bulb...

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