Difference of Light and temperature

[ZackZhou]

Just to share the types of light available as recently there are members questioning about the difference between different kind or temperature of lights. When i just started doing planted tank, i had difficulties finding information as well.

As technology advances, we are fed with more variety of choices to choose from regarding lights. below will be some clarification regarding lights.

We normally will use 4 main type of lights in aquarium, they are LED, T5, T5HO and T8, and PL lights.

Led lights consume the least amount of electricity, and is bright enough to be used in a low tech planted tank. However, Freshwater are still new towards the use of LED lights in a high-tech planted tank.


T5HO are basically a improved version of T5 tubes. They are brighter than T5s and they do have more choices in light temperature to choose from.(reason being T5HO is more popular nowadays) DO note that the wattage for both T5 and T5HO are different and they CANNOT work on the same light fixture. I.e, for a 2 feet light, T5 is 14W whereas T5HO is 24W.
T5HO tubes is the most popular light form that people are generally using now. It generate lesser heat compared to PL and T5 tubes and is able to penetrate deeper in water.
T5HO tubes are available in 4500k, 5500k, 6500k, 7000k, 7500k, 8000k, 10000k and 12000k (marine lights aside).

PL lights looks like the 'U' shape, when it will bend over on one of its side. PL lights are not used so often as it is not as efficient as the newer product such as T5HO and Led lights. PL lights do comes in different light temperature as well, however, the choice aren't much.

PS: T5, T5HO and PL are all considered as FL light category.


Regarding light temperature(kelvin), it can be from a range from 4000k up to 12000k (Lets talk about Freshwater only, anything above 12000k will be used normally in marine setups). 6000k Being closest to the lights from the Sun, thus light temperature close to 6000k will appear yellow to our eyes. Below 5000k the lights will appear pink to our eyes and anything above 8000k will appear blue to human's eyes. normally a 6500k tube would be most efficient in keeping a planted tank.

[magpie]

Thanks Zack, there is MH light also.

[ZackZhou]

MH for smaller aquariums usually comes in 150W forms, usually in only 6500k and 10000k temperature. There is a even smaller 75W MH light available nowadays.

DO NOTE that MHs' and LEDs' light will cause a shimmering effect in a aquarium and casting prominent shadows if the area was blocked from light , whereas the other 3 will not have and light up the entire space, with the area being block slightly darker.

[BFG]

Thanks Zackzhou for providing the explanation! Thumbs up!

[reiner09]

yea aha,thanks bro zack for sharing, i learnt something from this..