Dish out the money for better lighting.

8 posts

Member introductions and random (non-aquarist) topics.


josmoloco
 
Posts: 189
Joined: Thu Mar 20, 2008 11:21 pm

Dish out the money for better lighting.

by josmoloco

I was just running standard cool white lamps on my 125 up until today, I put down some money and went with zoo med 50/50(atinic/daylight) 6500k lamps, so much better. The blues pop like none other now, I defiantly recommend this product.


snowboss
 
Posts: 458
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 6:53 pm

by snowboss

salt tanks run 10K and up ................if you think 6500 are bringin some color out try that- - - -not sure if they might be to strong for fresh water fish though ......but i hear ya, after seeing true color ill never go back to flourensents


josmoloco
 
Posts: 189
Joined: Thu Mar 20, 2008 11:21 pm

by josmoloco

They had 10,000k bulbs but I feared an algae attack, I think it would be too strong for my cichlid tank....... And I wanted a 50/50 that wasn't a fortune......


a1k8t31524
 
Posts: 939
Joined: Sat May 26, 2007 5:10 am

by a1k8t31524

honestly algae do better in the lower end spectrum 4000k - 6500k than the higher spectrum say 10000k and up but cichlids are natural algae grazers so as long as you dont have a massive amount you should be fine


josmoloco
 
Posts: 189
Joined: Thu Mar 20, 2008 11:21 pm

by josmoloco

My selection was limited, and I liked the6500k 50'50 to the other avalible 10000k daylight.....


Tmercier834747
 
Posts: 887
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2008 8:33 pm

by Tmercier834747

a 50/50 of 6500/10,000 is considered (by most) the most optimal kelvin combo for freshwater planted. its not really necessary as kelvin ranges above the 5k range have minimal effects on growth speed and health, which is more dependent on the amount of light and other factors not relating to light.

I do agree thought that actinics can make for a nice looking tank (even in FW) as long as other light is present.


zambize
 
Posts: 401
Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2008 9:14 pm

by zambize

Isn't the kelvin range just a reference to how "white" the light is and not really related to plant or algae growth. It's my understanding that plant and algae growth would be more related to watts per gallon, and with half your watts being "lost" to actinic, you should be fine. Right, T?

Z


a1k8t31524
 
Posts: 939
Joined: Sat May 26, 2007 5:10 am

by a1k8t31524

kelvin is related to how white the light is but certin plants or oginisims such as algae respnod better to lower ( ie alge) and certin respond to higher (ie corals)

Dish out the money for better lighting.

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