Lighting temperature (K)

[izzat]

Hi Guys,

Just want to check out what is the common Kelvin(K) that Planted hobbist use here.

I am currently using 2 10000K T5 tubes, but I am not too sure if it aids in Algae growth
I do get good CO2 level into the tank, NPK are all good.
Should I get a 6500K T5 or 10000K would still be fine?

What is the best Kelvin(K) for plants? 6000K - 8000K?

If your lighting Kelvin is not stated, kindly share with me over here.
It will be good too for those whom have tried using different temperature tubes to share their views.

Thanks

[hwchoy]

6500K lah, but your poll don't have.

[izzat]

6500K lah, but your poll don't have.

Sorry, but I don't know how edit the poll

[Justikanz]

6500K lah, but your poll don't have.

Yes... Just read an article on lighting... 6500K would be the optimum as sunlight is around that... Gee... Can't find the article now... 10,000K is more suitable for marine tanks liao... But actually, allow me to ask a couple of juvenile questions hor... How do you know the light temperature? Most times, it is not shown on the boxes that the PL tubes come in, eg. Maqnum's and Ocean Free's tubes...

[solonavi]

Not sure abt PL tube. For T5, normally they will indicate the kelvin value on the box.

As to measure, think you'll need a spectra meter.

JC

[bclee]

I use a mix of 2700k + 6000k tubes leh... how?

BC

[izzat]

I use a mix of 2700k + 6000k tubes leh... how?

BC

Orangey Red?

How is the growth of your plants?
Low or High maintaince?

[bclee]

I have a 36W 6000K PL with 15W 2700K Fl which add a little warmth to the lighting over my 2 ft tank. I like the the lighting effect. I had that light since it was a high-maintenance with CO2 injection and now a low-maintenance one without CO2 injection.

I find light colours have not very much effect on plant health. However, leaves shape and "compactness" may change in some plants, according to some articles I read. However, I did not do much experimenting with light colours.

BC

[Justikanz]

I still prefer white or light-bluish, like those from Maqnum PL... Cooler... But how many Kelvin are those?...

[lwm999]

I saw some common FL tube rated at 6500K at a hardware shop selling only at $3.50. Any difference from those aquatic FL tube that sells at much higher price?

[|squee|]

Maqnum ones look very simliar to 8000K.

[Justikanz]

Maqnum ones look very simliar to 8000K.

Oic... Thanks, Terence... Is that the reason why they look bluish?

[jon409]

6500k light will look bright white when brand new.

[|squee|]

Oic... Thanks, Terence... Is that the reason why they look bluish?

IMHO, yes they look bluish, especially if you're used to 6500K.

But I tell you one thing... I just switched one light set back to 6500K, it was noticeably much more yellow. I didn't like it It's going to be 8000K from now on for me.

[Justikanz]

tsk tsk... Guess you are too used to seeing the higher Kelvin lights...

Guess we are all like dat in almost all respects...

[TanVincent]

6500k - cloudy sky
8000k - clear sky
10000k - bright sky

anything within the range of 6500k to 10000k is acceptable for planted tank. selection of tubes depends on what you want to grow.

Anything outside the range is for aesthetic sake, only a little of the color spectrum is used.

Normally i would prefer 8000k since it can be used for most types of plants.

Vincent

[Justikanz]

Oic... Good educational info... Thanks, Vincent...

[izzat]

Normally i would prefer 8000k since it can be used for most types of plants.

Hi Vincent,

Any idea what does HC prefers?

Do you have any PDF or information for me to refer more in detail?

[hwchoy]

actually the K value doesn't tell everything about the spectral charateristics, as it indicates the composite of the entire spectrum. you need to see the spectrograph to see the strength of the light at each frequency.

[Skyfish]

Well my setup is like this...

2 x 9,500K Arcadia NOFL
2 x Osram Floragrow 38w (still hve no idea what K it is) color is pink
3 x 70W HQI at 5,500K (Natural sunlight yellow)

The thing is all my red plants turn pink with this. And I want red plants to be red, pink to be pink. I think my HQI is the culprit, first off it is terrible to look at, so I have it on during the day when i am at work, by evening the FLs are on and the tank looks great.

I am looking for 8,000K HQI or even 10K, and will also get rid of the Osram FLoragrow and instead use Osram 6,500K.

I want the greens to look green and the red to actually look red and not turn pink?

Question is, what color keeps red plants red? and what's a good balance of K? I know it all varies but is there a rule of thumb?