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Is actinic combined with 10,000k lighting better for a planted tank than just 10,000k? Or would I be better off going with a 6,700k since it is only a fresh water tank?

highjinx,

"Is actinic combined with 10,000k lighting better for a planted tank than just 10,000k?" - No, actinics are actually pretty bad for the planted freshwater tank as they help algae production more than plant growth. So for this part, the answer would be that only 10,000K are better.

"Or would I be better off going with a 6,700k since it is only a fresh water tank?" Yes, that would be the best solution for your plants, although there are other K ranges (around 8,000 to 9,000 K) that work great too, but only with the right brand of bulb (I think GE makes a good one). If you have two lights then you could make one 6,700 and the other 10,000 as this would be more eye pleasing and whiter than the rather yellow/green of the 6,700 alone.

Hope this helps,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

thank you