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Just a quick question. If i was to setup a freshwater planted aquarium, should i choose a 5,000K or a 6,700K compact fluorescent bulb?

I am debating on these two:

http://www.hellolights.com/96watt5000k.html (5,000K)

http://www.hellolights.com/96wat6734jap.html (6,700K)

Here is the comparison the site says:

"Q. What's the difference between all the daylight bulbs?
A. Here’s the best way to summarize it:

5,000K = Warm daylight, slight hint of yellow when fired next to a 10,000K. Great for freshwater fish and plant tanks.

6,700K = Nice white, not as visually bright as a higher K bulb. Not as yellow as a 5,000K, also great for freshwater fish and plants.

10,000K = Bright crisp white light."


†Aquapickle†

If it's going to be your only bulb, i would go with the 6,700k bulb. The 5,000k is quite yellow, and some people might find the tint it gives your tank unpleasant. The kelvin temperature of the sun at high noon is around 5,400k, where direct sunlight is around 6,000k. The lower number you get, the more yellow you'll have in the light. Personally i'd choose the 6,700 k bulb.

Yeah that is the one i was leaning toward, another plus i forgot to mention is that the 6,700K is on sale for 7 dollars cheaper than the 5,000K.

Thanks for the help Fallout.

†Aquapickle†

5000k is usually considered too low of rating with too much yellow for a planted tank. The plants and probably you as well will prefer the 6,700k bulb. Usually 6,500k is recommended as the lowest rating for growing plants and 10,000k as the highest rating.

Thanks for the suggestion and information guys!

†Aquapickle†