6,500K or 10,000K PL lights for plants?

[pengful]

I am confused..... some articles on the net say PLs of 6,500K is great for plant growth yet others say 10,000K is best.

I was advised by a LFS to use 10,000K as 6,500K lights attract more algae. Is this true?

May I ask all the gurus here what is the preferred light spectrum for our planted tanks? Would there be any bad effects if I mix 6,500K and 10,000K tubes?

BTW, I am using 4x55W 10,000K PLs on my 4x1.5x1.5 tank.

[juggler]

See this recent discussion thread http://www.aquaticquotient.com/phpbb...ic.php?t=14960.

[pengful]

Thanks, read that but it still doesn't answer if 10,000K PL lights are recommended for plants - meaning they do not attract algae as 6,500K ones.

True, I do not have algae but does it mean using them will not make my plants bubble as much if I were to use 6,500K ones? So far, I have not seen any plants bubbling despite ph 6.8 and kh 4.

[geoffrey]

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On 12/17/2003 1:26:48 PM

Thanks, read that but it still doesn't answer if 10,000K PL lights are recommended for plants - meaning they do not attract algae as 6,500K ones.

True, I do not have algae but does it mean using them will not make my plants bubble as much if I were to use 6,500K ones? So far, I have not seen any plants bubbling despite ph 6.8 and kh 4.
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Algae often than not is a result of poor plant growth or poor maintenance of your tank. It has nothing to do with either 10,000 or 6,500K. Many use 6,500 but some have good success with 10,000 too. However, it is preferred to use 6,500.

Many factors must be considered when you do not see plants pearl. Typically, with 2.5wpg and above, some plants will pearl when all other conditions are right. Note that some plants do not pearl as easily as others. For instance, Riccia versus tenellus.

For plants to pearl, your fertilising regime is just as important as your CO2 and lighting . At those pH and KH, your CO2 is only at 20ppm, try pushing it up to 30ppm. Even at 30ppm, if circulation is not good, some plants may even be denied easy access to good CO2.