T8 bulbs.. help getting one tomorrow and want to get the right one :)

[xboxQueen]

Hi Alex, Ty for your fast reply! So glad I can avoid those over priced pet store bulbs! Just one last thing, does it have to be a full spectrum bulb or any fluorescent 6500k bulb?

Ps I see you're from new haven, I've been to the flea market there..I love it

[deranged chipmunk]

Full spectrum is kind of misleading. All full spectrum means is that it "supposedly" emits all the colors of the spectrum. Problem is, the only thing that can do that is the sun. In a 5000k "full spectrum" bulb, red would be more dominant than blue, which is higher in the spectrum. It will have faint traces of blue, so they can get away with the name "full spectrum". You can indeed grow plants with a 5000k bulb, but to get the most out of your plants, 6500k is optimum. I have grown plants under lighting from 3000k-10000k, and i found that 5000k-8000k is optimum for vivs that will have semi aquatics growing in them. 5000-6700k for straight terrestrials is best.

[helm96]

I got my T8 6500k Daylight bulb (made by GE) from Lowes. I have the 18" and it was about $7.

[xboxQueen]

Hi Bill, that info was what I needed to know, Tyvm! Now as soon as I officially wake up by throwing a couple cups of coffee down my throat, ill get myself in gear and go get my bulb. I need to get it today, my stuff from josh's will be here tomorrow



And Will Ty for the heads up at Lowes, unfortunately I called them yesterday and they don't have my size (24") I went into home depot the other day also and looked but no 24" 6500k t8's. They had them in other sizes tho, go figure lol

I also stuck that silver aluminum tape all over inside my hood because it didn't have a reflector. It was just white plastic inside.

[deranged chipmunk]

No problem. And btw, white plastic is a better reflector than that tape. Especially if the tape and even the slightest wrinkle in it.

[xboxQueen]

Well.............. Yeah it does have um a few wrinkles in the tape.. but its too late now lol