FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Well, imagine my surprise yesterday, that when I put the strip light that came with the tank on my newly filed 50g, it appeared VERY blue! The light is only 20w, but is very bright. I do not know how much the "K" is (what does that stand for, anway?)It does say 120volt, if that means anything....Anyway, I'm getting a 65w,6700k power compact light strip (should be coming in a day or so from big als). My question is: can I use the blue light with the 65w strip? I think that the light is a blue antic(sp?), because the tank was sold as a salt water tank. I plan on getting a light strip around 110w at christmas, but for now, I'd like to put as much light on as I can for the plants that I'm getting tomorrow! Thanks!

Hi,
If it is "blue" it is probably an actinic light and they are
generally used in Salt Water tanks that house
inverterbrates. It is a 20K bulb. Some folks do use
them in combination with lesser "K" rated bulbs. It's up
to the user and how it looks to your eye. I suspect that
you will not need, or want to use it, when you get your
new canopy in the mail.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

fairynr,

Frank said it all, I concur that you most likely have a light that is used on saltwater tanks.

I am just a little confused about your question

can I use the blue light with the 65w strip?

If you mean in addition, then sure, given that you have enough space on top of the tank and that you like the resulting light color (the 65w,6700k tends to make the plants pretty green as you can See Here ).

EDIT: I just thought about it some more, I don't think that the Actinic light would help the plants growth too much as it's wave length is not suited for it. I would use it in addition only to change the color of the display (if desired)

You might want to keep an eye on the heat that is generated by the 65W light. Mine gets pretty hot and I would suggest you leave a little space between the 20W fixture and the 65W. Did you buy the legs for your 65W light as well or are you going to place it directly on the glass cover?

Hope this helps,

Ingo

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 25-Aug-2005 13:27

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Little_Fish: Yes, I did mean in addition to. But I may leave it alone. No, I didn't buy legs for it, and I was planing on placing it on the glass cover. Is there a way that I can make legs for it? And, by the way, I like the greenish look (seemed like everyone else loved it also)
Thanks for your imput, I apreciate all the help I can get

fairynr,

Yeah, I have gotten used to the greenish look as well it is actually not as bad as I thought it would be. In addition, I can tell that my plants really love it.

For the legs, I don&#8217;t know. I know someone here (forgot who) has the same 65w light and uses it directly on the glass top. When I talked to the person he had it only for about a month or so, this would mean that there are no short term problems. I am more concerned by a faster &#8220;burn out&#8221; rate as the light is getting hot and the heat has nowhere to go.

I would suggest you buy the ones that are intended for your light. You might be able to create some sockets that you could place then on each end. Make sure that they are heat resistant and that they would not easily fall over. I have not yet attempted to build my own legs.

Hope this helps,

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club