Red light to grow chaeto

FrogfishFeeder · 03/25/2012, 09:17 PM

I want a nocturnal invertebrate tank which will also function as my chaeto scrubber.
I really dont want blue light, I want red.
My chaeto grows like mad under the cheapest home depot 6500k bulbs.
I found a 4' t5 3000k bulb labeled as red on amazon.
the bulb will be 3" above the chaeto.

You all think chaeto will grow under 3000k and is 3000k visibly red?

Jmnazari · 03/26/2012, 01:19 AM

I don't think it would be "red" as you would assume it to be. 3000k Is a very warm light, like before spiral compacts were the norm. It's like when you photograph or videotape a white wall, and when you view the picture or whatever later, the wall looks yellow. That's because the light in that room is around 6000k. The 3000k bulb will make it look redish in pictures and such, just how our aquarium lights make our white walls look blueish in photos. If you want to be able to grow chaeto and have a true red look, maybe consider DIYing a red plastic filter for a 10,000k blub. There has been tons of debates on colors and filters etc...Maybe do some more research on that bulb

Kelvin ratings are ambient sunlight ratings, where as nanometers and wavelengths are true values of colors. Look up Kelvin spectrum and light wavelenghts, this should help a bit! Good luck!

chaynes · 03/26/2012, 04:58 AM

Yes it will grow under red, if you really want red red light then get a red party bulb from walmart or home depot for like $5 for a 13w CFL. I have used them and they are plenty of light for a 10g sized tank, 4 are enough for a 55g.

Here is the one I use.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_353000-75774...ulb&facetInfo=

YOu can also get an aluminum reflector light fixture there also to use.

FrogfishFeeder · 03/26/2012, 03:29 PM

Thanks for the advice guys.
The reason I cant use the spiral bulbs is that there is no room, im making an enclosed raceway tank, long tank short sides, the tank is 6x 48 x 6 and I want the lighting even.

Hmm, I have lots to consider.

Allmost · 03/26/2012, 03:38 PM

3000K is Yellow ... it would be great for cheato.

chaynes · 03/26/2012, 03:47 PM

If it's not red enough you can always spray paint it with some red paint to make it redder.

FrogfishFeeder · 03/28/2012, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaynes

If it's not red enough you can always spray paint it with some red paint to make it redder.

I was also considering this.
I did it with the dash lights in my rig before and was happy with the results.
My only concern is that the paint would block light, but the nilb will be very close to the chaeto.

chaynes · 03/28/2012, 09:35 AM

Yeah your right it will block some light but it does work, I use the cheapest highest lumens bulb then paint it, but compared to actinics they are not as bright either so looks like the same results just cheaper.

03/25/2012, 09:17 PM	#1
FrogfishFeeder Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: 916 Posts: 91	Red light to grow chaeto I want a nocturnal invertebrate tank which will also function as my chaeto scrubber. I really dont want blue light, I want red. My chaeto grows like mad under the cheapest home depot 6500k bulbs. I found a 4' t5 3000k bulb labeled as red on amazon. the bulb will be 3" above the chaeto. You all think chaeto will grow under 3000k and is 3000k visibly red? __________________ 75g mixed reef 65g double angler tank

03/26/2012, 01:19 AM	#2
Jmnazari Hangin' w/ Rome from SWR Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Tucson Posts: 385	I don't think it would be "red" as you would assume it to be. 3000k Is a very warm light, like before spiral compacts were the norm. It's like when you photograph or videotape a white wall, and when you view the picture or whatever later, the wall looks yellow. That's because the light in that room is around 6000k. The 3000k bulb will make it look redish in pictures and such, just how our aquarium lights make our white walls look blueish in photos. If you want to be able to grow chaeto and have a true red look, maybe consider DIYing a red plastic filter for a 10,000k blub. There has been tons of debates on colors and filters etc...Maybe do some more research on that bulb Kelvin ratings are ambient sunlight ratings, where as nanometers and wavelengths are true values of colors. Look up Kelvin spectrum and light wavelenghts, this should help a bit! Good luck! Last edited by Jmnazari; 03/26/2012 at 01:28 AM.

03/26/2012, 04:58 AM	#3
chaynes Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Zebulon, NC Posts: 214	Yes it will grow under red, if you really want red red light then get a red party bulb from walmart or home depot for like $5 for a 13w CFL. I have used them and they are plenty of light for a 10g sized tank, 4 are enough for a 55g. Here is the one I use. http://www.lowes.com/pd_353000-75774...ulb&facetInfo= YOu can also get an aluminum reflector light fixture there also to use. __________________ 20)And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. Last edited by chaynes; 03/26/2012 at 05:12 AM.

03/26/2012, 03:29 PM	#4
FrogfishFeeder Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: 916 Posts: 91	Thanks for the advice guys. The reason I cant use the spiral bulbs is that there is no room, im making an enclosed raceway tank, long tank short sides, the tank is 6x 48 x 6 and I want the lighting even. Hmm, I have lots to consider. __________________ 75g mixed reef 65g double angler tank

03/26/2012, 03:47 PM	#6
chaynes Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Zebulon, NC Posts: 214	If it's not red enough you can always spray paint it with some red paint to make it redder. __________________ 20)And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

03/26/2012, 03:38 PM	#5
Allmost Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: canada, toronto Posts: 8,161	3000K is Yellow ... it would be great for cheato.

03/28/2012, 09:35 AM	#8
chaynes Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Zebulon, NC Posts: 214	Yeah your right it will block some light but it does work, I use the cheapest highest lumens bulb then paint it, but compared to actinics they are not as bright either so looks like the same results just cheaper. __________________ 20)And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.