Newb Light Question (Best Color Temp?)

[Nish07]

Hi,

I'm starting a bunch of frog vivariums and I'll be planting mostly bromeliads and other tropicals (including jewel orchids and possibly other flowering orchids). I'm wondering what the best color temp to use for T5HO lights (and what brand is good for the price). I ordered a bunch of Giesemann 6000k Midday bulbs but haven't had a chance to compare them to anything. I'm not sure if these bulbs are more suited to aquarium plants and corals rather than terrestrial plants. If anyone has any suggestions (what color temp and where to order from). Please respond here or PM me. You can also AIM me at nishifumi46.

Thanks a ton,

-Nish

[Ross]

Welcome Nish. I personally like to try for 5000K or similar as that looks best when viewing or photographing plants or a tank. So I use a blend of 300K plus 6500K bulbs to achieve the balance New Wave T5 Fluorescent Grow Light 4ft 4 Bulb 216W You can order just the bulbs as well. I like these fixtures for their brightness.

[cirillonb]

Ross,
Does the T5 bulb require a special ballast or does conventiional ballasts (for a fixture with the small diameter bulb) work.
Nick

[Nish07]

You need a specific T5 balast. T8-T12 will not work in a T5 fixture and vise versa.

-Nish

[Ross]

Originally Posted by cirillonb

Ross,
Does the T5 bulb require a special ballast or does conventiional ballasts (for a fixture with the small diameter bulb) work.
Nick

The ballast is built into the base of Compact Florescent t5's and is disposable (leading to their expensive nature.) Straight tubes use a specific fixture which has it's own ballast built in. Hope this helps.