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Re: "Sunlight" vs "A/P" tubes
> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1999 10:25:23 -0800 (PST)
> From: pete rose <bfordyce at yahoo_com>
> Subject: Re: Aquatic Plants Digest V3 #790
snip...
> I've got a question:
> At our local Target, they sell both GE "sunlight" bulbs and GE
> aquarium/plant bulbs for the same price.
> Which is better? I was guessing the plant bulbs, but I've seen the
> sunlight bulbs recommended a couple of times. Thanks.
If the "sunlight" are Chroma 50 o/e, they will grow plants well, but
look a bit dim and a tiny bit too orange for best viewing. I put a
couple of the "Plant and Aquariums" (40W) above a newly set up 55G and
the tank really looked dim. They have so much energy nearly out of the
visible spectrum that they need a *lot* of Watts for comfortable viewing
(i.e., to get the lumens up). Otherwise, they look to me to be pretty
white, but just a tad magenta or purplish in color.
I added one "cool white" and it was as if I had quadrupled the
illumination. The tank has a lot of irridescent fish, and the plants and
fish just became dazzling.
The "P/A" tubes probably provide plenty of plant energy, and the "cool
white" lots of viewing light. The trick is to get a nice balance that
grows plants and also looks good. Since plants and eyes have different
response spectra, I always seem to be happier mixing different tubes to
get the results I want.
Another favorite combo of mine is one "Chroma 50" and one "daylight."
80W over a 55G T is clearly limited by CO2, and not by photons. [Add CO2
and watch bubbles appear and growth explode.]
Wright
--
Wright Huntley, Fremont CA, USA, 510 494-8679 huntley1 at home dot com
Liberalism is totalitarianism with a human face.
Thomas Sowell