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I picked up a new bulb today, a high intensity Life-Glo 2 (6700K). I had actually picked out an Aqua-Glo (18,000K), but one of the staff in the lfs came up and recommended this other bulb. I will be growing plants, as well as keeping fish (all things being equal), so I thought that the 18,000K one would be better. Have I got the light frequency thing all mixed up?

I vote! Do you?

Plants usually do best between 5500 and 7000k, however given enough light they'll grow no matter what's on them. The 6700k of your new bulb is going to be right in the sweet spot for plants, so I doubt you'll dislike it. If you went from an aqua-glo to this bulb, it might look a little dimmer and more yellow/reddish to your eye. If you don't like it, go ahead and change it. Plants, given enough of just about any light will grow The higher-K bulbs are usually reserved for reefs/saltwater tanks that need them.

I've grown plants in aqua-glo's before, but they're noticably slower than others that were placed under lower K bulbs.

You ended up with a good bulb Th

Thank you! Yes, I did have an Aqua-Glo before. Creature of habit, I am.

I vote! Do you?

Only problem with the life-glo line is they're more expensive than the others

You could get a similar sized GE or Sylvania bulb in the same color temperature range and it will be just about equal.

I'll have to echo Fallouts experience.

Had an aqua-glo at 18000K and it basically stunted the plant's growth.

I changed to a Sylvania Daylight FO30T8 in the 6500K range at a third of the price of the Hagen brand.

The results were noticed rapidly and my plants really liked their new light.

Best of luck

James