Different types of lighting.

Hi TASA,

I would like to know if you can help me?

1. What colours does lighting come in.
2. What is the function(apart from giving light) of each one?

In my smaller tanks I have two lights in each and there is one white and one blue. In my big tank there is a white light and a purple light.

Thanks,
SAMollyBreeder

 

It all depends on the application of the light.
A fish only tank won't need the same lights used in a planted tank.
In a fish only tank,the light is used for humans to see the fish.In a planted tank the light, or a combination of lights, simulate sunlight and is used to grow the plants and of course for humans to see the display,so the light should be esthetically pleasing.

In a fish only tank the colour of the light is entirely up to the hobbyist.In a planted tank the colour of the light is more specific and ,again,closely simulates the spectrum of sunlight.

 

Ok, so what if I want to grow my plants and see my display and fish. My lights at the moment are white and purple and shows the fish nicely but doesn't seem to grow the plants and my plants now seem to be suffering.

Should I make a change or leave it as is?

SAMB

 

Something like this?
You notice there is no blue or purple lights.

 

So if I change my purple light, what light do I change to?

Thanks,
SAMB

 

You'll have do be more specific with the type of light tubes you have at the moment.
Light bulb or tube type? T5,T8 or cfl bulbs.
If it is tubes,is it a 865 Phillips,or osram or some other make?Just saying it's a white light isn't helping.Each tube has a colour spectrum that is very important.

How big is the tanks,what plants do you have,and please don't say it's green plants,and last but not the least,what fertilizer are you using?
Be specific in your questions and the answers will be more precise.

 

They are tubes but I don't know what make. They came with the Boyu EA 100 so I'm not to sure. My tank is a 187 litre and I have java fern, java moss, some grass like plant and some round leaved plants of which I have no idea of the names. I don't use fertilizer. What do I need and how expensive is it?

Thanks again,
SAMB

 

These days you get some funny coloured tubes to make your fish look better.

Like Rudi said the colour spectrum, which is not so destinct to the human eye is what counts.
Most tubes are white and range from 2700k up to 20000K. These will emit light from a warm kind of yellow to a very blue.
The tubes however look white when off. The growlux are pink/purple when switched on.

Have not seen all the tubes so some of the other grow tubes might be different colours?

Look on the tube somewhere on it there are markings like 865 or f988 etc and the make.

 

The best I can do is;
#1 Get a Philips Lifemax 865 t8 tube.Obviously one that fits your ballast.Available from most hardware stores,not too expensive.It has a good colour spectrum and displays your fish and plants nicely.
#2 Get a Boyu Flora-Glo,I think thats the name.Gives a pinkish hue to the tank,but the 865 will balance that.The red tube will enhance your plant growth.

Try to positively I.D. the plants.Each plant,obviously,has specific needs.Lights,water conditions,ferts,etc.
Get a good commercial fertilizer,Sera,Seachem,Tetra,etc.Even Prof.Dirk's DSD will do.Give him a PM.

Start with that and see how it goes.

 

OK,

I've done a bit of research and the light I have in my big tank are:
1. Flo-glo Extra day
2. Flo-glo bio-lux

In my little tanks I have:
1. Flo-glo Extra day
2. Flo-glo blue moon

 

I have absolutely no experience with Boyu light tubes...
So you can go with my suggestions or not.

 

Thanks Rudi