mats808

I apologize to eveyone for my last post being so long. I was a little upset because I was simply asking Newt a question and I didn't appreciate defdac's condescending tones.

Thanks Newt for the info.

Agentkhiem

Sorry, I meant to ask if it's possible to compensate for low red and blue peaks by using above average 6700k lighting. For 40 watts of 6700k in a 10 gallon leader, would that not be enough for reasonable plant growth for Riccia and Amazon Swords? My goal is to achieve enough blue and red parts of spectrum while keeping enough green light for the eye. I hope this is making sense.

Newt

You need to refer to each bulb's spectral output graph. The most effiecient bulbs with strong blue and red peaks are the Philips Aquarelle 10,000K freshwater bulb (european - mite have trouble finding them) and the Philips ADV850 a 5000K bulb.

www.aamsco used to carry the Aquarelle. Last I inquired you needed to buy a box of 25 and they were going for $10.50 or so. The Interpet Triton (has a new name now and it escapes me) is also a good bulb but pricey.

I always buy online and in bulk to save $$$.

Agentkhiem

The problem is that I have a square pin 20" Satellite power compact fixture, which came with 17" 460nm/10K 40 watt lighting. I know that it doesn't provide ample red end, so I was thinking of getting the Current USA Sunpaq 17" 40 watt 6700K as a compromise.

Yes, the red end is still weak, but wouldn't the bulb's intensity make up for the little red?
There doesn't seem to be any other alternative Power compact square pins out there..
BTW, thanks for being patient with my replies.

defdac

Just because plants have adapted to utilizing very low light and light of inefficient frequencies like green, does it mean that they prefer it?

Newt

I agree.

Newt

Sorry, when you mentioned40watt I automatically thought 48" T12 or T8.
Not to keen on square pin. I do believe there are adapters available to go to straight pin. I will look into. Then you could use several good CF's available and reduce the amount of green you are getting with your existing bulb.

You are not able to tell how strong the emissions are with your bulb as the graph's Y-axis is in relative power and not watts/lumens or some other meaningful number. It is in relative power which takes the strongest/highest peak and that is labeled 100% (in your bulb's case - green); everything else is relative to that point.

I'll look around for adapters and get back to you. Either ahsupply or Rexx Grigg may have them.

Newt

I was able to find several being sold on eBay.

When I get home I will attach a link that has 3 good CF's straight pin.
Do you know what you have for a ballast?


http://search.ebay.com/compact-squar...dZp1638Q2em120

Agentkhiem

Yeah, I read somewhere about these things.. but I can't find a good 40 watt power compact 17" that's not too blueish, not to mention there aren't any dedicated plant growth bulbs that I see out there even with straight pins. Do I really have to retrofit a T5 plant bulb in there?

My ballast? It's electronic starting and it's a Satellite fixture.. is that what you mean?

Newt

I was wondering if your ballast could power a 55 watt CF.
Also, how much room do you have? A 55w is approx 21" plus the adapter.
This is where I was going with this.


Here is the link:
http://www.1000bulbs.com/Full-Spectr...t-Light-Bulbs/
Any of these are good but I personally use the Philips PLL-950