Re: PL or FL

[williamng]

Hi

According to my friend, he feedback their FL is better for planted tank because they are specially made for plants. Whereas PL are mainly for lighting purposes.

Anyone have any comments???

[tranquillizer]

i thought is the other way round ? if FL must put 3 for 2ft ?

[sherchoo]

PLs and FLs are basically the same. Using PL would give you the advantage of space e.i. less space needed to achieve lighting requirements. PLs are basically a FL tube bent into half.

Hope this answers your question.

[vinz]

ehh.... I think your friend is referring to the special FLs for planted tanks. Few brands make these in PL form. The only I know of right now is ADA (listed in the 2003 catalog), but I've not seen them for sale in Singapore.

Many ppl have successful tanks using ordinary PLs and FLs. The usual recommendation are that they must be rated either as Daylight or 6500K(kelvins, +/-500).

Some ppl mix ordinary lights with the special plant lights. However they are usually not white in colour and your plants could look funny in colour if you only use those types of tubes.

The special lights are usually also more expensive then ordinary FLs.

[DK]

Vinz,

Can use 10,000K PL for 4 x 2 x 2 tank

Thanks

[Sleepy_lancs]

Hi,

Mine is using 10,000 K PL lights. Its okay with that tank size. But expect that you will be staring at a very bright tank. Another thing I notice is spotted algae tend to occur.

[williamng]

Which is better?? 6500k PL or FL specially design for aquarium??

Anyone has any comments?

[vinz]

Errr, not many ppl report better results with special plant lights, which to me means the advantages, if any, are small. Too small to be worth the price difference. The general guideline for replacing FLs are 6 months each.

10,000K lights tend to be bluish and *may* make your plants look funny. I know at least a few forumers are using or have used them before. Wait and see if they will reply.

6,500K is closest to sunlight and regarded to be the most aesthetically pleasing. You might have a different opinion.

[williamng]

That day, I just have a chat with Tan in Bioplast. He says he prefer FL light made for plant as it gives better effect. Actually it depends on personal preferences...

[kadios]

Hi!

What is the height of your tank? If it's <2 ft, IMO, u may wanna use FLs. With a lower height, you may forsake the intensity of PLs and utilize the uniformity of FLs(due to longer tubes, thereby able to cover the ends of the tank as well). If you want both, perhaps a combination of FLs and PLs will be good.

Cheers!