Power Compact or Regular Flourescent?

[enchanted]

I was down at my LFS yesterday, and as a beginner I did not realize just how many variations of ballasts and flourescent lites there.

What I'm trying to decide now is whether standard flourescent or Power Compact would be better for Freshwater.

Any input is appreciated.

 

[Lateral Line]

Some of the compacts are okay for planted tanks, but most sold for domestic purposes have a very low spectrum, typically less then 3000K. These aren't much use for plants. There are some special ones which have a higher spectrum.

Chlorophyll absorbs best with a spectral content of 5500K - 6500K. If using plants which are naturally deeper water plants, then a little higher, but that is rarely the case.

 

[enchanted]

I was actually looking at the Aquarium Power Compacts, but they seem to be aimed towards Saltwater.

The bulbs are like 10,000K from what I was reading....

 

[Bangin]

I have power compacts over all of my tanks. The kelvin temperature is 6700.

 

[enchanted]

How are they working? What I'm thinking of is a Dual Latch hood.

Basically split lengthwise down the middle so I can open it for feeding and then each half split at the top for replacing bulbs with Glass across the bottom to seel it.

 

[Bangin]

They work perfectly! I just bought the freshwater coralife strip lights, as pictured here, and most of my tanks are open top.

Off topic-Your plants went out priority mail this morning.

 

[enchanted]

Cool on the side note.

I think I will go Power Compact then. I start building the stands this weekend. Need the stands before the hoods since I couldn't fit a hood on the bottom tank.

 

[Lateral Line]

10,000K is too high for plants, but if you can get them around 5500K - 6500K they should be great. I can't get them here.

 

[Doggfather]

10,000K is too high for plants, but if you can get them around 5500K - 6500K they should be great. I can't get them here.

A good place to look would be a hydroponics store, if your after a light those stores usually have them

 

[enchanted]

My LFS Mentioned that also. B) I have some time and I'm still researching in. My dad is bringing over his tools this weekend and going to help me build the stands. Missed out on most of these "father/son" projects when I was younger because he drove long haul truck. Now that he is retired he seems to want to make up for all those he missed.

Full Redwood stands and hoods made from old deck wood (my step-brother does concrete and a person switched from a redwood deck to a concrete patio so he got all the wood). I just hope there is enough wood there, I have to build 6 stands and 6 hoods.