Using a SW light for a planted tank?

[coachfraley]

I am setting up a 10g FW at my work. I was planning on making in a lightly planted tank, with "low light" plants. I do not plan on doing a CO2 setup.

The light I have for the tank is a 2x18watt T5HO light that I used to have over a SW tank. The bulbs are: one actinic, and one 10,000k bulb. I am having trouble locating 6500k replacements for the fixture, so what should I do?

Would you run it as is?

Would you replace the actinic with another 10,000k?

Or should I just run one 10,000k bulb, so it works well with low light plants?

Thanks for any replies, suggestions!!!

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

David Lass, writer for AFI, uses 50/50 bulbs on all his planted tanks and he has great success with them.

[doug z]

I have two 10K/6500K dual bulb fixtures above my FW tank as well..

It's not AS good for the plants as all 6700's (as far as growth), but it sure makes the fish and plants LOOK better.. :)

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Doug, have you done much reading around Tom Barr's articles and posts on his site? He actually explains the color temperature thing a little bit.

[Fishguy2727]

I also use 50/50s on all my tanks and have great results with plants. Mine are half 6500K and half actinic.

I would keep looking for 6500K to replace the actinic in time, or at least a second 10,000K bulb.

The higher temperature color bulbs still have the light that is needed, just not quite as much of it. But with higher wattage you easily compensate for that.

[coachfraley]

Thanks for the replies!

I looked around some more, and it looks like they don't make a 6500k bulb for that fixture. I am going to run it "as is" until the bulbs have run out their life, then I will probably switch to two 10,000k's.

One good thing is that I am sure the tank will look cool under that lighting!

[doug z]

Doug, have you done much reading around Tom Barr's articles and posts on his site?

I didn't see anything about that, but I'll do a more thorough search, thanks!

But if you have a link... :)

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Sorry, I don't have the links. If you do a search on his sight for light spectrum you should find plenty.

[sandy_n]

I didn't see anything about that, but I'll do a more thorough search, thanks!

But if you have a link... :)

Doug, don't know if this will help or not but maybe you can type 'light spectrum' in his search box and see if it might give you some info...www.barrreport.com

[doug z]

Yup, will do, thanks!