What colour light

Sorry guys I just want to find out something?

I know we had this thread before but what I want to know is what will works best, because I currently have 1 red light and 1 blue light in my tank only got space for 2 lights so what I wanne know is what I must do so that my light s will be enough for my planted tank
Here is some possibilities

1) blue & red
2) blue & white
3) red & white
4) or maybe just white

Thanx Guys

 

if you want growth you must aim low that is around 5000/6000 kelvin for best growth for plants, but this means the light will be kinda yellow, so maybe look at 1 6500k and one 10000 k. hope this helps

 

thanx Linga

But can you perhaps tell me what colour I should rather go for (blue.white,red or maybe a combination)

 

No, if you go with 2 x 6500K lights, your red and blue light at the moment will balance things out quite nicely.

Beware, algae likes the blue light spectrum.

 

That is one reason why I am asking Slagter because I can see the algae growing but it is a brownish colour so I am not sure if it is so can you advice me
PLEASE

 

With the 6500K tubes, it will promote plant growth, so the Algae will eventually be outcompeted for nutrients. You shouldn't have a problem. Also adding some Ottos will help. They eat the diatom algae.

 

Thanx Slagter

 

yeah like slagter says the low spectrum is great for growth and will already have the red balance included no need for red lights. on the algae if you have enough plants they will out compete the algae

 

Sorry to highjack this thread but i thought it should be 10000K and blue and white lights?
If the plant is Green = Green of full spectrum reflected
and the same with Red so the red or green bulbs will actually be worthless?

Please help here or i am going to ask my schoolfees back.:idea:

 

Went and looked at some studies.
http://www.usc.edu/CSSF/History/2005/Projects/J1625.pdf

Facts:

The red grew the tallest, but the transparent was the healthiest. The blue died midway through the project​

and the yellow was close to beating red. The green did poorly.

Conclusion:
So a clear/white spectrum for health and Red for growth.

I still do not know about K rating but i heard wattage should be 1.5 - 3 Watt per litre.

 

Thanks Slojo now it makes sense
So I believe blue is a big no no

 

It all depends on the K rating and the Lumen output of the tubes themselves. As far as I know the 6500K tubes promote the best growth for plants, but they can be a little "yellow". I have 2x 150watt 6500K metal halides on my main display. I also dose the EI method and I use pressurized Co2. It works like a bomb. My difficult plants have almost reached the top of an 800mm tall tank!!

 

Ditto - I have read here on the forum that you can add a blue light that will give you that crystal clear look but will be of no benefits for the plants

 

Except for algae growth and will diy Co2 help

 

Absolutely! Co2 is brilliant. I swear by it. Excel is good, but a combination of excel and Co2 is best! Also, you should look at using a fert combination too. Seachem make brilliant ferts. Flourish, Flourish Potassium and Flourish Iron will work wonders. If your water is soft, you can also use a bit of dolomite to harden it up a little.