Color Temperature - Page 7 - Lighting

Newt · 11-25-2008, 04:46 PM

Several years ago I used the 40 watt T12 lamp. It was a F40DX. They make a T8 version now.

It was a bit green but I used it in conjunction with a GroLux Standard as a dawn/dusk light.
It did balance out the purplish hue of the GroLux fairly well.

Philips is really good about sending spectral output graphs when you contact them thru their
website in the Contact section. I have a pdf with info on the bulb you're looking for (TLD950) but its too big to post here.

RedDelPaPa · 11-28-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newt

I've been running the 55w 5500K high CRI bulbs from ahsupply. I have found that they do not produce pearling nearly as good as the Philips PL-L 950's 5300K 92CRI I had been using. I recently replaced them with (3) T8 bulbs: Philips Aquarelle, Philips ADV850 and an All-Glass 8000K. I have 14 fewer watts but the pearling is tremendous.

I ordered a miro4 four foot reflector and a Fulham Workhorse 5 ballast from naturallighting.com (good prices) and got 2 cheap shop lights from Home Depot. I will strip the shop lights and use the shells and connector ends with the Fulham ballast and miro4 reflector and place them into an enclosure to run (4) T8's.

BTW, 10,000K are typically more of a marine bulb and the extra blue light emitted will tend to produce more algae growth. If you like the looks then go for it; otherwise lean more toward full spectrum bulbs.

Hi Newt,

This particular post of yours caught my attention. I have been using the 4x55 AH supply bright kit with the 5500K bulbs over my co2 injected AG 75 gal for quite some time. Plant growth has been good. However, if there are lamps of similar CRI/color temp that will provide more usable light to plants, I'm interested.

What you said above, can you confirm that for me my ruling out any other changes in your setup that may have resulted in the increased photosynthesis of your plants?

All tank variables the same?
Both sets of lamps well within their usable life?

Thanks,
Red

Newt · 11-28-2009, 11:54 AM

All other variables are/were the same. I did not use shop lights but rather made a fixture out of 1/2" birch plywood and am using two 38watt Philips aquarelles overdriven and one 54watt T5HO GE Starcoat 5000K.

The Philips PLL950's have changed and they are not as good as the original. Too much green hue in their spectrum now. I suggest using two GE 9325K (good buy at atlantalightbulb.com) and contact Larry at www.naturallighting.com and see if he has a PLL 55W 6500K by Jana-Lites. I bought a 36w for my 10 gal shrimp tank and love the color.

RedDelPaPa · 11-28-2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newt

All other variables are/were the same. I did not use shop lights but rather made a fixture out of 1/2" birch plywood and am using two 38watt Philips aquarelles overdriven and one 54watt T5HO GE Starcoat 5000K.

The Philips PLL950's have changed and they are not as good as the original. Too much green hue in their spectrum now. I suggest using two GE 9325K (good buy at atlantalightbulb.com) and contact Larry at www.naturallighting.com and see if he has a PLL 55W 6500K by Jana-Lites. I bought a 36w for my 10 gal shrimp tank and love the color.

Hi. Thanks for the reply.

Is it your educated opinion that using 2 GE9325K combined with 2 5500K lamps in my 4x55 fixture will promote better plant growth than either alone?

Newt · 11-28-2009, 03:11 PM

Working knowledge.
I buy and experiment with many bulb brands and types.
I think you will like the effect even though the GE 9325K is only 67 CRI.

RedDelPaPa · 11-29-2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newt

Working knowledge.
I buy and experiment with many bulb brands and types.
I think you will like the effect even though the GE 9325K is only 67 CRI.

For my taste, there isn't a better look than the high CRI 5500K lamps, but I'm not concerned about that at the moment.

Do you know of any 55w CF lamps with the proper spectral output that produce photosynthesis better than another?

For example, do the 9325's produce better growth than the AHS 5500K's I'm currently using?

The reason I'm concerned about better growth is, my plant tank is a cichlid tank. And if I don't stay on top of it, the fish can and will eat and destroy the plants faster than I can grow them.

Newt · 11-29-2009, 09:25 AM

Have you read this sticky:http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...ifference.html

AHSupply will not provide spectral graphs for any of their bulbs and wont tell you who manufactured it. Its a big disadvantage when trying to choose which bulb has the most intensity in the proper blue and red regions.

Take a look a these:http://www.1000bulbs.com/Full-Spectr...t-Light-Bulbs/

I really suggest you contact Larry at Natural Lighting. He is honest and has a good selection of bulbs. The site is a bit difficult to navigate.
Here's one:http://www.naturallighting.com/web/s...on=show_detail

Another: http://www.naturallighting.com/web/s...on=show_detail

RedDelPaPa · 11-29-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newt

Have you read this sticky:http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...ifference.html

AHSupply will not provide spectral graphs for any of their bulbs and wont tell you who manufactured it. Its a big disadvantage when trying to choose which bulb has the most intensity in the proper blue and red regions.

Take a look a these:http://www.1000bulbs.com/Full-Spectr...t-Light-Bulbs/

I really suggest you contact Larry at Natural Lighting. He is honest and has a good selection of bulbs. The site is a bit difficult to navigate.
Here's one:http://www.naturallighting.com/web/s...on=show_detail

Another: http://www.naturallighting.com/web/s...on=show_detail

Thanks for the links, but you didn't answer my question. So I'll take that as a you don't know?

Newt · 11-29-2009, 11:21 AM

I havent used CF bulbs for awhile nor do I know each and every bulb out there. Plus w/o a spectral output graph and normalized plots for all of them there is no way to really tell. Too bad companies dont give PUR info for their bulbs. I have given you a few choices based on what you like and what I think might be better than the AHS CFs.
I dont suppose you are using CO2 in a cichlid tank. This would increase photosynthesis rate.
I'd stay away from coralife and japanese bulbs as they tend to be heavy in the green spectrum.
You should also change them out annually.
Good Luck.

RedDelPaPa · 11-29-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newt

I havent used CF bulbs for awhile nor do I know each and every bulb out there. Plus w/o a spectral output graph and normalized plots for all of them there is no way to really tell. Too bad companies dont give PUR info for their bulbs. I have given you a few choices based on what you like and what I think might be better than the AHS CFs.
I dont suppose you are using CO2 in a cichlid tank. This would increase photosynthesis rate.
I'd stay away from coralife and japanese bulbs as they tend to be heavy in the green spectrum.
Good Luck.

Thanks for your recommendations. Yes, my cichlid tank is CO2 injected. I'm thinking of picking up some duckweed to help keep their appetites appeased. Where is the best place to buy aquatic plants?