4100K bulbs¿?

[eleodes]

hey yáll

i am living in Mexico for the next ten months and i want to try to set up a tank. i might go with a freshwater planted (with stuff from the river) or i might make it marine (and make trips to the beach to look for livestock). anyhow, i have found a tank that will work, but it is harder to find other equipment. i was at a hardware store the other day that stocks really big (65 watt) compact flourescent bulbs. they must have good output, but they are 4100K.

what do you think about that Kelvin rating for freshwater planted or for seaweeds?

 

[Samala]

Mexico for ten months! How fantastic! I think you'll be too busy for a tank, but, if you must (and I know how that goes, lol) the 4100K bulbs over a freshwater tank wont be a problem. It will look loads yellower than what you're used to, but not a problem for the photosynthetic inhabitants. In our terrestrial and aquatic plant growth chambers, thats the temp we use. I tend to throw out 6700K up to 10,000K because its a bit easier for reefers to adjust too.. not quite as yellow as say 5000K or 4100K.

>Sarah

 

[eleodes]

thanks. do you think that the 4100K bulb will create a light so yellow that it will create an unnatural <em>appearance</em> for, say, a simulation of a shallow freshwater environment?

 

[Samala]

Unnatural for freshwater? I doubt it. For killifish, Apistogramma, and other Amazonian beasts, I would routinely yellow/brown the water with tannins via peat extracts, peat substrate, oak leaves or worse in the filters or in the tank itself to get the right, well, appearance. :lol: A slight yellow cast from the lighting should be fine. Now, some of the streams in the area you'll visit will likely be more clearwater riverine areas than say tannin rich swampy zones, but I think the lights would be fine for it. Perhaps they will simulate better a later afternoon or mid morning light than midday, but still should be good for growth and the fishes.

You may want to check out thekrib.com for freshwater planted stuff.. it is my favorite site on the topic. There are a few freshwater plant boards too if you go that route.

>Sarah

 

[eleodes]

thanks again. i will have to figure out how to set it up. the bulb is of the screw-in type, and it will need a large reflector. the bulb costs just 100 pesos (about 11 dollars).