Help With Lighting

[Dj-damo]

Hi all.

i need to replace my 2 t5 bulbs but the more i read into lighting the more confused i get with it.

I have read about kelving, lumens, lux ect ect and now my brain is kaput!! probably not helping its is nearly 1am!!

This is the link for the current bulbs i have.

http/www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/fish/technic_and_accessories/_illumination/dennerle_lighting/81506

but if i understand this correctly the output in kelvin is only 6000k and it should be over 6500k to promote plant growth!

the special plant has the red and blue sprectrum thingy!

one bulb is 3000k and the other is 6000k and as i understand it the max output is still 6000k.

What is the best combo for my tank. the plants are not growing well, and i do need to replace the bulbs.

Thanks for your help.

Damien

 

[joelveloz]

Hi all.

i need to replace my 2 t5 bulbs but the more i read into lighting the more confused i get with it.

I have read about kelving, lumens, lux ect ect and now my brain is kaput!! probably not helping its is nearly 1am!!

This is the link for the current bulbs i have.

http/www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/fish/technic_and_accessories/_illumination/dennerle_lighting/81506garden tours
but if i understand this correctly the output in kelvin is only 6000k and it should be over 6500k to promote plant growth!

the special plant has the red and blue sprectrum thingy!

one bulb is 3000k and the other is 6000k and as i understand it the max output is still 6000k.

What is the best combo for my tank. the plants are not growing well, and i do need to replace the bulbs.

Thanks for your help.

Damien

I think you must use 3000k, but it depends on the kind of plant you have. 3000k is mostly used by people who are having aquatic plants on the aquarium. But make it sure that it will not disturb your fish.

 

[Mcbenthy]

Hi all.

i need to replace my 2 t5 bulbs but the more i read into lighting the more confused i get with it.

I have read about kelving, lumens, lux ect ect and now my brain is kaput!! probably not helping its is nearly 1am!!

This is the link for the current bulbs i have.

http/www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/fish/technic_and_accessories/_illumination/dennerle_lighting/81506garden tours
but if i understand this correctly the output in kelvin is only 6000k and it should be over 6500k to promote plant growth!

the special plant has the red and blue sprectrum thingy!

one bulb is 3000k and the other is 6000k and as i understand it the max output is still 6000k.

What is the best combo for my tank. the plants are not growing well, and i do need to replace the bulbs.

Thanks for your help.

Damien

I think you must use 3000k, but it depends on the kind of plant you have. 3000k is mostly used by people who are having aquatic plants on the aquarium. But make it sure that it will not disturb your fish.

In short, higher kelvin rating is better.. ~6500K is a good spectrum, however plants will cope with lower levels if you prefer the look.

Don't bother with a fancy aquarium bulb, it's just branding, go on B&Q's site or similar, you are looking for a bulb that is the correct length, T5, and ~6500K (In the catalogs that is 'Daylight' or 'Cool Daylight' - Code 860 and 865 respectively)

Here is a good site: http/www.thelightbulbshop.co.uk/Shop/LightBulbs/FluorescentTubes/T5-Fluorescent-Tubes/

Hope that helps. If you want a more in depth discussion as to what Lux, Lumens, PAR, Light Temperature etc are, gimme a shout and I'll point you to a post I made a while back...