Light bulb types

[Pistol_pete]

I have a power compact setup and was wondering what bulbs work for growing plants?
There are 6700K or 10000K bulbs. Is higher better?
Also, does a 50/50 (10000K and actinic) work for plants?
Did anybody try the freshwater colour enhancer bulbs from Coralife (50% 10000K and 50% color enhancer)?

[matt]

In a nut shell....a lower kelvin (something along the lines of 2700K) encourages a long and leggy growth and the higher kelvins (10000K+)will tend to produce short and bushy plants.

The 6700K is a great compromise between the two. If you check out my gallery, the planted tank uses 6500K light bulbs and I'm pretty satisfied with the growth.

You can always mix up the bulbs. Say 1 6700K and 1 10000K. This way the colours will be brought out more by the 10000K.

As for actinic, alot of people say they do nothing for you plant growth. While I can't prove this myself, I can tell you that I have tried them before on a planted tank and thought it was ugly as hell.

[Pistol_pete]

As for actinic, alot of people say they do nothing for you plant growth. While I can't prove this myself, I can tell you that I have tried them before on a planted tank and thought it was ugly as hell.

I tried the 50/50 actinic bulb that came with the fixture yesterday and I agree 100%. It was so ugly that the bulb didn't even get warm and it was out of there.

Thanks for the advice.

[charlie]

Pete , for growing plants anything in the 5000 - 10000K is fine, the actinics does nothing for plant growth at least in my books 
Regards

[charlie]

I should add , it`s widely thought that the higher K`s closer to 10000 tends to promote more bushy growth.
Regards