Kelvin and Lumens?

AfricanCichlids · 02-15-2013, 05:23 AM

I got two 13w CFLs that are 2700k and 900 lumens. Would this work okay for a 10 gallon aquarium that will be planted with Dwarf Hairgrass?

Darkblade48 · 02-15-2013, 07:09 AM

They should be fine, though with a colour temperature of 2700K, they will be rather yellow/orange, so you may want to get some 6500K bulbs instead (though if you don't mind the colour, then what you have is fine too).

Steve001 · 02-15-2013, 12:19 PM

There's no relationship between the two. And lumens isn't useful either for plants. What lumens is telling the buyer is how bright the light will appear.
2700k light sources might be deficient in blue light which would deprive the plants of a necessary portion of the spectrum. A better choice is a bulb with a color temperature of 5500k and a color rendering index of at least 90.

AfricanCichlids · 02-15-2013, 06:37 PM

Alright. Guess i'll go look for some 6500k's instead. No big deal, the bulbs were a $1 each so its not like i took a loss or anything xP

02-15-2013, 05:23 AM	#1
AfricanCichlids Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Washington Posts: 21	Kelvin and Lumens? I got two 13w CFLs that are 2700k and 900 lumens. Would this work okay for a 10 gallon aquarium that will be planted with Dwarf Hairgrass?

02-15-2013, 07:09 AM	#2
Darkblade48 Moderator (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 7,040	They should be fine, though with a colour temperature of 2700K, they will be rather yellow/orange, so you may want to get some 6500K bulbs instead (though if you don't mind the colour, then what you have is fine too). __________________ Anthony A Primer to Pressurized CO2 and A Primer to Planted Tanks Eheim Pimp #362 - Eheim 2213 x2, Eheim 2028, Ehein 2217, Eheim surface skimmer and Eheim autofeeder. Victor Pimp #33 - HPT272-125-350-4M

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02-15-2013, 12:19 PM	#3
Steve001 Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Baltimore Maryland Posts: 1,027	There's no relationship between the two. And lumens isn't useful either for plants. What lumens is telling the buyer is how bright the light will appear. 2700k light sources might be deficient in blue light which would deprive the plants of a necessary portion of the spectrum. A better choice is a bulb with a color temperature of 5500k and a color rendering index of at least 90.

02-15-2013, 06:37 PM	#4
AfricanCichlids Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Washington Posts: 21	Alright. Guess i'll go look for some 6500k's instead. No big deal, the bulbs were a $1 each so its not like i took a loss or anything xP