Selecting Light Bulbs for a F/W tank

[gillyweed]

Hi,

I'm in the process of setting up a 30G planted tank. I'll do the x2-OD with the 36" T-8 florescent bulbs (2). My question is: which light bulb should I pick for a medium light requirement planted tank but not too expensive?

From Dr. Smith's Catalog, I'm pondering which combination should be best:

* 1 - 9325K Aqua Rays Freshwater and 1 - 5500K Zoo Med Tropic Sun
* 2 - 9325K Aqua Rays
* 2 - 5500K Zoo Med Tropic Sun

I'm tended toward getting 1 - 9325K and 1 - 5500K setup as this combination give me a break in cost, $10.95 & $6.99, respectively!

What I'm not sure is if this is a good combination for plants & pleasant to the eyes as well. My plants are swords, crypst, wisteria, jave moss, anubias, and who knows what else will strike my fancy next!!! :lol:

Please help. Thanks.

gw

[m.lemay]

I prefer the 9525K bulbs. If I were you I'd spend the extra $4 and get two of those. The 9325ks put out the right kinda light for growing plants. You'll be really happy you did.

Marcel

[gillyweed]

Marcel,

It is the right combination that I'm looking for! So, the 9325K is the right type for hi AND lo light plants? What about color to the eyes? Are they yellowish or blueish, or how do you perceive the look of plants with that lights in your tank?

Currently, I have 2 "soft white" on the tank & it's yellowish. And I was told that were "day lights" by the seller. To me, I don't quite care for the yellowish look in a planted tank, not my cookies at all!

Thanks for your suggestion.

gw

[Rex Grigg]

I've always wondered if there is a spectrum shift due to the over driving of the bulbs?

[m.lemay]

The 9325s emit a pinkish light which seems to cancel out the yellow from tannins in the water. They also seem to be much more efficient than some of the other bulbs I've tried, (more pearling activity from the plants). As the ad states in Dr fosters site. They accentuate all the colors.

Marcel

[gillyweed]

Marcel,

I'll go as you suggested: (2)36" OD 9325K for my planted tank coming soon!

As for spectrum shift due to ODing, do you have any opinion? Thanks for your input.

gw

[m.lemay]

I've never OD'd any lights, so I can't say for sure. If there is a spectrum shift, I suspect that it would be minimal, as I've not heard any comments on it one way or the other.

Marcel

[gillyweed]

Thanks, Marcel.

Another question! For the plants to pearl, I would need to supplement with CO2. Is that correct? Especially with the hight light bulbs?

gw

[m.lemay]

Yeah, I'm coming to believe that a planted tank without CO2 is really a nuisance unless you plan on growing low light plants only. CO2 supplementation and good light go hand in hand. If you have both you'll get good results. If you have one or the other you may as well have neither.

Marcel

[gillyweed]

Marcel,

I have another feedback saying that by using only the 9235K bulbs, I'll have leggy grow with the bunch plants. Instead, I should combine the 9235K+6500K! I even get another suggestion to use the 9235K+5000K+4300K for best lights. What's your opinion on that?

gw

[m.lemay]

I haven't had that happen. Here's the problem: people look at the color temp of the bulb and assume that the light will be bluish. Color temp' really doesn't mean squat when it comes to growing plants. If they have these GE 9325k bulbs then they are qualified to answer your query. If they don't own these specific bulbs,as I do, Then thier opinions are not based on fact, but mere speculation based on antiquated rules of thumb.

Marcel

[gillyweed]

Sounded positive enough to convince newbie like myself! I'll go as you've suggested. Thanks for the inputs, Marcel.

gw