Generally not a good idea in a freshwater aquarium. It tends to promote algae growth although I do know some people that use them and their tanks are ok. Just in general, it is not a good idea.
the way i see it is a waste of light source... nothing in a freshwater tank benifits from it, so it's a waste... i would rather get another daylight bulb that will make the tank brighter and will benefit the looks, plants, algae etc....
You posted this before FW pleco, and I gave you the same advice! I use them along with white full spectrum because I was not paying attention when I bought them and they're better than nothing, but as soon as I can afford new bulbs I'm getting only FW bulbs. I am planning to buy some moon lights for some hours of night as my tanks are mostly in my bed room because they're really cool and you might find them to be nice after you turn off the day time lights. Chech them out pleco. They're super cool! Peter
as PK stated - -if you are buying something for that "blue" look - -I would invest in some blue LED's - ebay has them all the time and you can get 1 ,2 , 3 up to 16 in a single low amp draw fixture - -cheaper way to go for the same look and they don't have the Algae benifiecial light spectrum - snowboss
That's right, freshwater lights. I'm lazy sometimes. I think snowboss might be right that this spectrum might increase algae more than help the plants you want. It pissed me off when the guy who sold them to me said they were good for fresh water plants. Stores are out to sell, and if they don't have what you need they often sell you what you don't need.
Amen to that PK - - i've been mislead by 3 different LFS's - then I found this forum and I've slowed down considerably - ask questions and don't ya know i havn't made a major mistake yet - - -lol Snowboss
just reading through the posts! I went into my local LFS to inquire about blue lights! they told me they were no good for freshwater tanks. They told me to go for tropical bulbs or daylight! as they have the right light spectrum for plants! the only thing is i have a jewel light system and the bulbs for my tank are about £30 GBP each. so on their advise i would steer clear of the blue!
Hmm i was going thru posts and found this one... i checked my lights, seems i have 50/50 actinic daylight 20w lights... dont seem to have a problem with algae as long as i leave my lights on for 6 hours.. is this the reason i cant leave them on for longer without getting algae issues? I kinda like the color it gives off though, would it be considerably brighter if i replaced the blue with white?
I have the Current Satellite which comes with 2 SunPaq lamps. Each lamp is 65 watt SmartPaq 10,000k Daylight/460nm Actinic. It makes the aquarium very ocean like but if you want to bring out the colors of your fish or light up the plants then the full spectrum light would be better. I will eventually replace my bulbs to the 65 watt 6,700k Daylight but at $30. per bulb I'll wait until these burn out or I win at PCH, lol.
hey prskiller, i have the current satellite as well, but 40w i think... did your unit come with legs to hold it up? and how high off the aquairum top does it sit? Mine came with such low legs that it sits not even an inch off the aquarium top and since my aquarium is acrylic it bent the top cover from the heat. did u have any issues?
I've been doing some reading on lights and these people are saying that chlorophyll is chlorophyll, and that the blue color and or actinic light is actually good for plants as well as coral. I bought lights with both daylight and blue combined and haven't had problems with algae due to these lights. I had a problem I now think was caused by too much gunk in my gravel being put into the water with my UGF and too much phosphate, but now things seem to be better, so I don't think it was the lights. The people who were saying that blue was good were not in the aquarium light business so I kind of trust what they're saying. I know I said that this color isn't good before, but now I don't really know. I'll probably buy only daylight plant bulbs when I replace them because I like the warmer light, but I'd like more discussion on this. I leave my 65 watt VHO's on 10 hours a day.
