55 Gallon Tank 5000k bulb good for plants?

[vdocdark]

im making a new build in a 55 gallon tank, and im trying to budget on lighting for when i do plants in here.

Im wondering about using led light bulbs attached to pendulum fixtures that will hang above the tank, doing the math based on some info online i reached the approximate that i need roughly about 6150 lumens total to fully illuminate, and have more than enough light intensity for plants. (sorry if my math or estimates are off)

I personally like the 5000k color more vs anything warmer, and heard its good for plants as well. The light bulbs im planning on using are 13 watts (1270 lumens) each, according to walmarts description. I have 4 pendulums ill be getting, so thats a total of 5080 lumens in all (excluding the fact ill be putting white plastic pots with reflective tape inside).

Would 5000k be good for plants? Same with having 5080 lumens/52 watts total be good?

 

[ChrissFishes01]

5000K is fine for plants.

Lumens are a pretty poor way of deciding how effective a light is at growing plants. PAR or PUR is what you want to use, but most off the shelf bulbs don't come with those ratings.

Realistically, if you stick with low-medium light plants, you should be fine with just about any light as long as the tank is "well-lit" IME. It's much easier to have too much light than not enough with modern LED bulbs.

 

[TClare]

I agree, I use LED floodlights and I have 2 x 50W 5000k for my large planted tank. Each is rated at 6000 lumens. I am only doing low tech but most plants grow very well. I also like the look of the 5000 rather than 6500 I have in my other tanks.

 

[vdocdark]

I agree, I use LED floodlights and I have 2 x 50W 5000k for my large planted tank. Each is rated at 6000 lumens. I am only doing low tech but most plants grow very well. I also like the look of the 5000 rather than 6500 I have in my other tanks.

i heard about using flood lights as well, im looking into them

5000K is fine for plants.

Lumens are a pretty poor way of deciding how effective a light is at growing plants. PAR or PUR is what you want to use, but most off the shelf bulbs don't come with those ratings.

Realistically, if you stick with low-medium light plants, you should be fine with just about any light as long as the tank is "well-lit" IME. It's much easier to have too much light than not enough with modern LED bulbs.

ill experiment around and see what works, ty for explaining it a little better for me