New to dart frogs, first vivarium!

[DartEd]

The jungle dawn lights are great if you wanna go higher end. On the lower end you can use 4500k to 6000k rated cfl bulbs. They keep things warm and provide perfect lighting for good plant growth.

[helm96]

I am using a 18" T5 fixture with a 6500K daylight bulb and my plants are growing like weeds. I am clipping back the plants once a week. This is a pretty cheap setup, I think I spent about $25 per tank for the lighting and the price to the result I could not be happier!

[Keister]

I have decided to go ahead and get two of the jungle dawn 13 watt LED fixtures so I can do this right.

[deranged chipmunk]

The jungle dawn lights are great if you wanna go higher end. On the lower end you can use 4500k to 6000k rated cfl bulbs. They keep things warm and provide perfect lighting for good plant growth.

4500k is a bit low for most tropicals. too much "red". while they will grow, you won't get the healthy growth you would from say a 6500-8000k bulb.

[Keister]

2 jungle dawn LEDs would be good for this 29 gallon correct?

[DartEd]

4500k is a bit low for most tropicals. too much "red". while they will grow, you won't get the healthy growth you would from say a 6500-8000k bulb.

After doing a bit more research, I agree that 4500 Kelvin is a bit low on the color spectrum. That being said, most articles do recommend 5000 k to 6500K with 5500 K to 6500K being referred to as the "sweet spot".


"Choosing the best plant grow lights depends on the types of plants being grown and the purpose for which they are being grown. Plants vary on the colors of light they prefer, but it usually is in the 5,600 Kelvin (K) range of natural daylight, and Kelvin ratings are sometimes imprinted on light packaging. The intensity level of the light and the ideal amount of light vs. dark hours in a day also vary per plant species. Ornamental plants require less intense light in the blue range of the spectrum, versus fruiting and flowering plants that mature best under red- and yellow-tinted light that simulates the end of the growing season..."

Excerpt from How Do I Choose the Best Plant Grow Lights?

ive found that 8000K and above generally apply to aquarium applications for plant growth.

New England Herpetoculture LLC - Vivarium Lighting 101 here's an article on viv listing as well as a place to order lights

[deranged chipmunk]

I always include up to 8000k because in my experience of growing plants indoors for the past decade, that some marginals like the higher color spectrums due to their utilizing algae in the photosynthesis process, much like coral does. That being said, the point is rather moot due to the fact that most people are not going to be running to a specialty (reef shop) for 8000k bulbs.

And as an aside, the lower color spectrums of something like a high pressure sodium bulb (around 3500k) are very beneficial to plants you want to force into flowering. So there are pluses and minuses to all.

[deranged chipmunk]

I forgot to add, yes, i know corals are a completely different thing, but i was using them as an example because the algae living in them process light, he same as freshwater and terrestrials. They just have the extra job of feeding the coral.

[Keister]

What is the best way to mount bromeliads to logs? I got my first order in today and this is what I think I am going to do with the lay out. I am going to do a water feature from the left log so it drips into the jungle pod and then from there drains down into the false bottom and back around. It is not going to be anything flowing really just a trickle or drip at most. The left log will have java moss covering is since the log will be really wet all the time. P.s. nothing is foamed in just sitting in place.

[deranged chipmunk]

Easiest would be zip ties. You could also use coated florist wire. You can get it at most craft stores that sell silk plants