i've got an ahsupply enclosure with 2 1x13 watt kits from ahsupply in there. I'm thinking about doubling the amount of light in there by adding two more 1x13 watt kits. i'll probably run 2 of the bulbs for 2-3 hours, all 4 for 2-3 hours, and then the other 2 for 2-3 hours. i have two 6700k bulbs right now. should i get 2 more 6700k's or get 2 5500k bulbs? there's also 10,000k but i think that'd be too blue for me.
also, if i get 2 5500k's which should come on first?
or i could even completely mix it up and do 1 6700 and 1 5500 for the first stint, then all 4 then the other 6700 and 5500 for the last stint...
I've run 6700K and 10,000K together, and I think they make a very pleasing combination. 10,000K is really more of a bright white than blue.
Also, natural sunlight varies from about 5000K to 6500K depending on the time of day. So if you wanted to do something very natural, you could have the 5000K tubes come on first and last and your 6700K tubes for a mid-day period. If you've got a bunch of timers you want to put to use.
I agree with putting at least one if not 2 10KK bulb in there. it looks like a nice bright white to our eyes, it's not blue like an actinic bulb.
Plus, it will have the added benefit of kepeing your plants from getting leggy. It encourages branching and short internodal length.
I have a mix of 6500k and 10,000k on my tank
4 x 6500k (main lights)
2 x 10,000k (come on for peak time & also when I turn on the tank for viewing or maintenance)
To me, the 10,000k bulbs I have are bright white with a **SLIGHT** tinge of blue, which I like. The colors in the fish and plants really seem to pop. I paid more for them $21-22/ea, as opposed to the ~$12/ea 6500k bulbs.
I am a strong believer in mixing it up according to what you like.
Try it one way and if you don't like it, switch the configuration or get a different spectrum (either when the bulb burns out or sell it/give away). I don't really like anything less than 6500k though, as it gets a little pink. I had a 5500k bulb once that wasn't too crazy about and a 4100k bulb that was even worse.
(aside)I did a presentation on lighting once and one thing I learned in the research was that contrary to what you might think, bluer light is higher temp and redder/pinker light is lower temp.
Blue looks much "cooler", whereas red looks much more "hot", but it's the opposite that's the case. Consider a fire/flame. Blue flame is much more hot than normal red/yellow/orange flame.
I(aside)I did a presentation on lighting once and one thing I learned in the research was that contrary to what you might think, bluer light is higher temp and redder/pinker light is lower temp.
Blue looks much "cooler", whereas red looks much more "hot", but it's the opposite that's the case. Consider a fire/flame. Blue flame is much more hot than normal red/yellow/orange flame.
ovenmit, you may want to re-read your own thread :icon_roll
practically everyone here favors mixing 6K with 10k,
as do I. 10k alone makes a tank look too artificial,
so a little 6k action helps to warm things up a bit.
what do i need to re-read? i didn't say anything about just using 10k alone. i have 2 6k. want to put two additional lights in and think i'm gonna go with 10k's.
Ive got pics of just the lights on in the hood. I have a shot with the brightness all the way down so you can see the color of the light and one with the brightness up so you can see the intesity difference. Also have on with 1-10k 1-12k 1-65k and 1-Actinic all in the same hood at the same time just so you can visually see the differences. If you want me to post pics, let me know. The 12k and actinic came with the hood when I got it, but I thought it might come in handy for someone later if I took a reference pic. They are 65 watt bulbs but it should give you an idea.
Here are the pics...the pics aren't the greatest, when I was taking these I didn't have my camera with me. So these are off my cell phone. They should still work thought. I thought about making a post in the lighting section to show these different lights. I think with these pictures its obvious why you would want to use either 6,5 or 10k or both lol...as opposed to 12k or whatever.
This is all 4 different bulbs with the brightness down to show the light colors
TL-12,000 BL-Blue Antinic TR-10,000 BR-6,500
Here they are with brightness up to show the intensity
I thought about making a post in the lighting section to show these different lights. I think with these pictures its obvious why you would want to use either 6,5 or 10k or both lol...as opposed to 12k or whatever.
I know Ive hunted around for these sorts of pics in the past
I run a 36" CL Lunar Aqualight with 1x96w sunpaq dual daylight (67K/10K) from 1-10pm with a midday burst 96w CL (67K) from 3-7pm, I think I highlight the fish colors, and still get a lil bit of that "crisp whiteness" but mostly yellowish?
I will try to snap some shots tomorrow after my water change to show my tank with the 1 bulb on, and then one with both bulbs on....tank is filthy now:frown:
I know Ive hunted around for these sorts of pics in the past
I run a 36" CL Lunar Aqualight with 1x96w sunpaq dual daylight (67K/10K) from 1-10pm with a midday burst 96w CL (67K) from 3-7pm, I think I highlight the fish colors, and still get a lil bit of that "crisp whiteness" but mostly yellowish?
I will try to snap some shots tomorrow after my water change to show my tank with the 1 bulb on, and then one with both bulbs on....tank is filthy now:frown:
I've used a Coralife PC Quad 96w 6700K, once, exclusively on a 10 gallon HC iwagumi tank for about 6 months. The HC grew well but kind of vertically. With that much watts per gallon, you would think it would grow horizontally.
I just changed my light fixture about two weeks ago to 2 NOVA dual 20w HO T5 using all 10000K bulbs. Less watts per gallon then before. Also I had killed all my HC due to a blackout due to a fight with green water so, I replanted brand new HC. Within two weeks my HC is growing faster and horizontally.
I now thinking about adding 10000K bulbs to my other tanks.
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