Faulty Gh/kh Test Kit?

I am trying to check the gh and kh in a bowl I would like to put shrimp in. The instructions tell me to add a drop and shake the test tube after each drop. For the gh it tells me to stop when the water goes from orange to green and the number of drops I have added determines my numbers. Well I never see orange.

The kh tells me to do the same but the water is supposed to go from blue to yellow. I never see blue.

My test kit should be good until sometime next year so it hasn't expired. I can get the kh to yellow and the gh to green but don't think my numbers are correct because I never actually see the blue or orange. I have tried to do the tests on both the water from the bowl and my tap water. For those of you that do these tests do you actually see the color changes the instructions say I should see?

BTW: I have a TDS meter being delivered today. Maybe it will tell me something.

 

I have that same kit. The orange and the blue get steadily darker until the sudden color shift. It take 8-10 drops for me. When you say that you never see the orange or blue, do you mean that it changes immediately upon the first drop?

 

I have that same kit. The orange and the blue get steadily darker until the sudden color shift. Forgive me if this is rude (and you don’t have to answer) but I do have to ask to help cross out possibilities for others. Have you been tested for color blindness? I only ask because orange/blue color blindness is one of the specific subsets and many people don’t realize that they have it.

Not rude at all but no I'm not color blind. I have no problem at all in seeing orange, blue or any of the many other colors.

I am thinking the testing solution must have worked as it should when I first got it. According to my profile info I was able to get an accurate reading shortly after getting the kit. I have to think something has happened to it between then and now. I really would hate to have to buy a new kit just to end up like this one after only using it one time.

Since I have slept several times since the time I originally used the kit and now I have forgotten exactly how the colors changed.

I am curious as to whether this same thing has happened to others. I have to think the solution has gone bad I've had it since Feb. 2016. The expiration date is Sept. 2020. It has never been exposed to extreme heat or cold.

When you say that you never see the orange or blue, do you mean that it changes immediately upon the first drop?

The first 1 or 2 drops don't change the color at all. The water in the test tube is still colorless. By the time I have added 3 or 4 drops I start seeing a faint green for gh and a faint yellow for kh

 

my tap is around 12 GH and 17 KH.

looks like the northern half of Arkansas has hard water, and the lower half has soft to slightly hard water.

 

Yeah, I would hope they don’t go bad that quickly. Not at those prices. I quickly realized the color blindness was very unlikely when I remembered that it was blue/yellow not orange/blue and edited it out but you caught me. Oh well.

 

According to the API instructions if you cannot see any change with the first drop, look down into the tube, don't look at it from the side. I did and I could see the color change.
I just got my test kit and frankly see no reason to have it?
All mine does is tell you what kind of fish are best for the test results "Drops"? Makes no sense.
I have not read every single tiny word in the instructions so I could be off base.

 

my tap is around 12 GH and 17 KH.

I got up to 20 drops on the gh and 16 on the kh and since I never saw blue or orange I knew something was not adding up. My original tests showed gh 5 drops and kh 3 drops. I know I have very soft water so having to add so many drops just wasn't making any kind of sense to me. I have to think the test has gone bad.

I know I followed the instructions. They really are simple but the results just don't add up.

 

According to the API instructions if you cannot see any change with the first drop, look down into the tube, don't look at it from the side. I did and I could see the color change.
I just got my test kit and frankly see no reason to have it?
All mine does is tell you what kind of fish are best for the test results "Drops"? Makes no sense.
I have not read every single tiny word in the instructions so I could be off base.

I will give the test another go today and will look down into the tube. I tried that but could still see no color until I started seeing yellow for kh and green for gh.

If I understand correctly you multiply the number of drops by a certain number and it tells you something. I don't totally understand what it all means but I am considering some shrimp for a well established bowl and was asked what the gh is in it. I was trying to answer that question.

 

aniroc post #8
"To convert ppm (mg/L) into degrees of KH, multiply by 0.056.
To convert degrees of KH into ppm of equivalent Calcium carbonate, multiply by 17.848.
Please note the "equivalent" word as you might express your results into a substance that does not exist. A baking soda (Sodium bicarbonate) solution, could have a high KH when it has zero Calcium carbonate while a Calcium oxide solution has a high GH but zero KH."
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfi...dness-how-to-convert-ppm-to-kh-and-gh.316589/

the GH KH test contains strong acid, probably expired.

GH test uses Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

KH test uses same.

 

Before you get another test kit have you tried testing the water in your other tanks or just your potential shrimp bowl.. not saying it’ll be different but it’s a fairly quick test to determine if it’s still good... good luck!!

 

Before you get another test kit have you tried testing the water in your other tanks or just your potential shrimp bowl.. not saying it’ll be different but it’s a fairly quick test to determine if it’s still good... good luck!!

Thank you. No I haven't but I did try it on my tap water and got the same weird results. I think what I am going to do is just get some inexpensive shrimp and see how they fair in this bowl. A new test kit would probably cost close to the same amount as a few if I don't consider the shipping charge in the total amount.

I just got my TDS meter. Now if I can just figure out how to use it

 

I'm curious what the TDS is.

But I had to buy a new KH/GH test. My old one suddenly stopped changing colors no matter how many drops I added. GH tube had almost pure (orangy coloured) reagant in it by the end. I got a new one (Nutrifin) and it turns out KH and GH are still only 2 degrees.

I don't mind the Nutrifin test at all, only it changes from green to pink I think. Colors are different.

 

I'm curious what the TDS is.

But I had to buy a new KH/GH test. My old one suddenly stopped changing colors no matter how many drops I added. GH tube had almost pure (orangy coloured) reagant in it by the end. I got a new one (Nutrifin) and it turns out KH and GH are still only 2 degrees.

I don't mind the Nutrifin test at all, only it changes from green to pink I think. Colors are different.

Thank you. At least this tells me I am not alone in this. I have been trying to run the tests on my various tanks for the past hour or so and I get the same results each time. I got up to 10 drops on the kh test several times. After 5 drops it starts turning orange and stayed there after each drop.

The GH is supposed to first turn orange and then green. I can get a pale green but there is no orange to be had.

I am so done with it since no matter what I do and which tank I get the water from I get the same results. It has finally gotten on my very last nerve.

I am going to wait until tomorrow to play with this TDS meter. I don't want to try to figure it out when already frustrated.

 

Just a fair warning because I have very soft water like you - a lot of shrimp need a GH minimum in order to molt properly. If you acclimate them slowly and they do fine but drop dead a few weeks later, your GH was probably the culprit. Unfortunately the less sensitive shrimp like red cherries actually need a higher GH than more sensitive ones like bee shrimp. If you happen to get your shrimp from a breeder who knows their stuff, ask if they have shrimp raised on a GH similar to yours, or if they sell young/juvenile shrimp. Those will have much better odds adapting than adult shrimp having to acclimate to softer water.

Not that I am a shrimp expert, but I learned the hard way.

 

Just a fair warning because I have very soft water like you - a lot of shrimp need a GH minimum in order to molt properly. If you acclimate them slowly and they do fine but drop dead a few weeks later, your GH was probably the culprit. Unfortunately the less sensitive shrimp like red cherries actually need a higher GH than more sensitive ones like bee shrimp. If you happen to get your shrimp from a breeder who knows their stuff, ask if they have shrimp raised on a GH similar to yours, or if they sell young/juvenile shrimp. Those will have much better odds adapting than adult shrimp having to acclimate to softer water.

Not that I am a shrimp expert, but I learned the hard way.

Thank you for the great advice. I will definitely keep it in mind.

 

my tap is around 12 GH and 17 KH.

looks like the northern half of Arkansas has hard water, and the lower half has soft to slightly hard water.

I live in the Saltwater corner and my water is very soft. The first thing my SIL does when she visits from Texas is take a shower. She LOVES my soft water that much

.
I am going to wait until tomorrow to play with this TDS meter. I don't want to try to figure it out when already frustrated.

I am so silly. I was reading the instructions for the TDS meter and thought it might be complicated so didn't want to mess with it since I was already frustrated. Come to find out all I have to do is stick it in the water and that's it.

Tap water: 21 ppm
Bowl: 48 ppm
55 gallon: 60 ppm
5.5 gallon: 54 ppm
10 gallon molly fry tank: 103 ppm

Water changes were done on all tanks last Sunday.

 

Oh my lordie that's soft water. I thought my water was soft! Your kh/gh test is certainly faulty!

 

Oh my lordie that's soft water. I thought my water was soft! Your kh/gh test is certainly faulty!

I agree. And this is with both crushed coral and seashells in my tanks to help hold the PH at a steady 7.2

 

I agree. And this is with both crushed coral and seashells in my tanks to help hold the PH at a steady 7.2

Wow. Definitely get some Equilibrium for the shrimp. And some cuttlebone in the filter. The soft water is nice for hair washing though!

 

Wow. Definitely get some Equilibrium for the shrimp. And some cuttlebone in the filter. The soft water is nice for hair washing though!

oops, I forgot. I also have cuttle bone in my filters too. If I finally decide to get some shrimp I will get some equilibrium before I get the shrimp.

I agree, it is great for getting hair and body feeling nice and clean. My SIL says she wishes she could pipe my water to her house. I have been here for so long I have forgotten what hard water feels like.

 

The house I grew up in had hard water. It leaves a film on your skin, and everywhere I guess. I think it makes hair straight, but mine is straight anyway so idk....

 

Are you sure your TDS meter is reliable? That is basically R/O water. Your GH/KH tests may have been trying to indicate 0? I would be a little worried about trace elements lacking in your tap water and add some kind of mineral supplement rather than just crushed coral.

 

Are you sure your TDS meter is reliable? That is basically R/O water. Your GH/KH tests may have been trying to indicate 0? I would be a little worried about trace elements lacking in your tap water and add some kind of mineral supplement rather than just crushed coral.

Thank you but I have to think my water is good and it is unnecessary to add anything to it since I have been keeping fish in this water for many years. I have to think the trace minerals are there but of course I can't know that for certain

I really can't swear that the TDS meter is accurate though since it is the first one I have ever owned or used. is the one I just ordered and received this week.

 

If it went straight to green and skipped orange it’s just telling you its 1 degree or below

 

Thank you but I have to think my water is good and it is unnecessary to add anything to it since I have been keeping fish in this water for many years. I have to think the trace minerals are there but of course I can't know that for certain

I really can't swear that the TDS meter is accurate though since it is the first one I have ever owned or used. is the one I just ordered and received this week.

No, you are completely right. I guess all of the mysteries have been solved now.
I actually find it encouraging to hear your fish have been doing well in this water, I've always been a bit worried about keeping fish that require, on paper, a GH of 6 or more when most of my tanks are at 2, 3 or 4 and when I see a death that I can't explain I always wonder if it was because of this. Just my own insecurity I guess.

 

No, you are completely right. I guess all of the mysteries have been solved now.
I actually find it encouraging to hear your fish have been doing well in this water, I've always been a bit worried about keeping fish that require, on paper, a GH of 6 or more when most of my tanks are at 2, 3 or 4 and when I see a death that I can't explain I always wonder if it was because of this. Just my own insecurity I guess.

I have been reading up on Equilibrium now that you mentioned it. Although my fish have always thrived in my water I am having trouble keeping plants alive. I am beginning to wonder if this very soft water low in mineral content is the reason for the early demise of a lot of the healthy plants I have tried to grow.

My house plants appear to love it but I am wondering if I do need to add something to help the plants in my tanks. Thank you for suggesting that I might need to add to the very low mineral content in my source water.

I was also reading up on Replenish and trying to see which product would work best for my situation.

edited to add: now that I have read up on both products I see Replenish isn't the best choice for plants so Equilibrium seems to be the best choice. Problem is, both of them say they should only be used with RO water. Maybe since my water readings are close to the RO water readings I could still use the product?

 

I have been reading up on Equilibrium now that you mentioned it. Although my fish have always thrived in my water I am having trouble keeping plants alive. I am beginning to wonder if this very soft water low in mineral content is the reason for the early demise of a lot of the healthy plants I have tried to grow.

edited to add: now that I have read up on both products I see Replenish isn't the best choice for plants so Equilibrium seems to be the best choice. Problem is, both of them say they should only be used with RO water. Maybe since my water readings are close to the RO water readings I could still use the product?

Yes, it should be fine. What I think is the reason for that warning is that the mineral content of tap water can vary widely. For instance, I have a well outside with a GH and KH of 1 and 0 respectively, whereas TDS indicated 85-90. The water does have some mineral content (equivalent to about GH 5-6) but most of it isn't something we normally measure. I think the reason for advising use of these products with R/O water is prevent toxicity in tap water that is very rich in one particular substance but has none of the others. Dosing it to your desired GH level could potentially increase the level of the substance that was already present to toxic levels and you wouldn't notice because you wouldn't test for it. That is my best guess. So if your TDS is very low, this should not be a risk.

For this reason I use a GH/KH+ only product rather than a general re-mineralisation supplement. Also use way less than the recommended dose.
I haven't had any trouble with plants though, so whatever is in my water that ups the TDS (my tap also has GH/KH and TDS out of balance) must contain elements good for plants. Or maybe I just got lucky with picking the ones that would do well regardless.

 

Yes, it should be fine. What I think is the reason for that warning is that the mineral content of tap water can vary widely. For instance, I have a well outside with a GH and KH of 1 and 0 respectively, whereas TDS indicated 85-90. The water does have some mineral content (equivalent to about GH 5-6) but most of it isn't something we normally measure. I think the reason for advising use of these products with R/O water is prevent toxicity in tap water that is very rich in one particular substance but has none of the others. Dosing it to your desired GH level could potentially increase the level of the substance that was already present to toxic levels and you wouldn't notice because you wouldn't test for it. That is my best guess. So if your TDS is very low, this should not be a risk.

For this reason I use a GH/KH+ only product rather than a general re-mineralisation supplement. Also use way less than the recommended dose.
I haven't had any trouble with plants though, so whatever is in my water that ups the TDS (my tap also has GH/KH and TDS out of balance) must contain elements good for plants. Or maybe I just got lucky with picking the ones that would do well regardless.

Thank you bunches. I have managed to kill off plants that are supposed to be super simple undemanding plants that grow like crazy for other folks. I managed to kill off hornwort, dwarf water lettuce and red root floaters. Other folks have to constantly thin theirs. Mine were beautiful when I got them. Now they are struggling and just barely surviving. The ludwigia was beautiful and was full of both leaves and roots all along the stems. Now I barely have stems.

I use both thrive root tabs and thrive liquid ferts but sadly that doesn't seem to be enough for the plants. I am just now making the connection between my very soft water and my failure with plants. I really do appreciate your thoughts on what the problem may be. Sometimes it helps to just talk the problem through.

I should have made the connection sooner since I am have some success in the tank with the higher TDS reading. I will get some Equilibrium ordered today.

 

Thank you bunches. I have managed to kill off plants that are supposed to be super simple undemanding plants that grow like crazy for other folks. I managed to kill off hornwort, dwarf water lettuce and red root floaters. Other folks have to constantly thin theirs. Mine were beautiful when I got them. Now they are struggling and just barely surviving. The ludwigia was beautiful and was full of both leaves and roots all along the stems. Now I barely have stems.

I use both thrive root tabs and thrive liquid ferts but sadly that doesn't seem to be enough for the plants. I am just now making the connection between my very soft water and my failure with plants. I really do appreciate your thoughts on what the problem may be. Sometimes it helps to just talk the problem through.

I should have made the connection sooner since I am have some success in the tank with the higher TDS reading. I will get some Equilibrium ordered today.

Hmmm, interesting. I do think your low TDS could be causing issues. On the other hand some plants that reportedly need harder and nutrient-rich water, like various types of nympheae do well in my tanks despite the soft water, so not sure if that alone would be the culprit. It could be that you are missing something in particular in your water that isn't in the ferts because it is in most water.. Like a plant-vitamin of some sort? Just guessing here.
But wow. The only other instances I know of people managing to kill of hornwort is in very hot tanks or through allelopathy (various species of elodea/anarchis are known to inhibit it), but it seems that no plant really does well in your tank - or is there something that will grow? Have you tried anarchis and duckweed? Those grow for me for months even in zero tech tanks (as in, no lights, no ferts, no water changes).
Do you put them through some kind of chemical bath to disinfect them before putting them in your tank? That could be a culprit also.
How long does it generally take for the plants to wilt? Do they start dying as soon as you put them in your tank or do you still see some (stunted) new growth before total decline?

Ludwigia tends to shed all of its leaves and shoot for the surface when it finds conditions in the water unfavourable leaving you with thin, straggly stems.

You can always test out if it is the water or something else in your tank by putting some tap water in a small bowl or cup and put it in your windowsill. Then put a piece of hornwort/anarchis/duckweed/red root/dwarf lettuce/what-have-you floating easy grower in there and see if it lasts a few weeks looking healthy. If not, there is something wrong with or lacking in your water. If it does, you'll know there is something about your tank specifically causing the problem.

 

I am happy to say that I am having good luck with dwarf sag, frogbit and water wisteria. I put some Dwarf Water Lettuce and Red Root Floaters in a container out on my covered deck. It looks like I might be having a tiny bit of success with what is out there.

Have you tried anarchis and duckweed?

I think there is some duckweed mixed in with my dwl and rrf but can't be sure since all the the plants are tiny and struggling. I have some anarchis. It started out full. now it is struggling much like my hornwort.

I am also having a bit of luck with bacopa. Very slow growing but at least it hasn't died nor lost all of its leaves. The java ferns look to be trying. The one in my 55 gallon tank hasn't grown much but is still nice and green. The ones in the 5.5 gallon look pretty sad but the ones in the 10 gallon (the tank with the highest TDS) are growing really well.

All this to say, I am finally having a little bit of success with some of the plants. I am determined to figure this out so one day I can have a beautiful planted tank.

I am embarrassed to admit that I don't do anything to the plants before putting them in my tanks. So far I have bought all but the hornwort from folks here on the forum so trust that the plants won't come with something that would cause problems in my tanks. they may have snails but my assassin snails will take care of that.

I do see good growth at first but before long they start failing. On the average it usually happens within a month or less.

 

I am happy to say that I am having good luck with dwarf sag, frogbit and water wisteria. I put some Dwarf Water Lettuce and Red Root Floaters in a container out on my covered deck. It looks like I might be having a tiny bit of success with what is out there.

I think there is some duckweed mixed in with my dwl and rrf but can't be sure since all the the plants are tiny and struggling. I have some anarchis. It started out full. now it is struggling much like my hornwort.

I am also having a bit of luck with bacopa. Very slow growing but at least it hasn't died nor lost all of its leaves. The java ferns look to be trying. The one in my 55 gallon tank hasn't grown much but is still nice and green. The ones in the 5.5 gallon look pretty sad but the ones in the 10 gallon (the tank with the highest TDS) are growing really well.

All this to say, I am finally having a little bit of success with some of the plants. I am determined to figure this out so one day I can have a beautiful planted tank.

I am embarrassed to admit that I don't do anything to the plants before putting them in my tanks. So far I have bought all but the hornwort from folks here on the forum so trust that the plants won't come with something that would cause problems in my tanks. they may have snails but my assassin snails will take care of that.

I do see good growth at first but before long they start failing. On the average it usually happens within a month or less.

Good to hear that you can get some plants to grow well Always a relief when it isn't a total failure, that just tends to make you lose interest because frustration.
Strange though, I would expect frogbit to fail much sooner than the things you listed as dying in your tanks.

What you said about seeing good growth at first does really make me thing it is some kind of nutrient lack - it grows well until it has depleted whatever internal storage it had from its previous environment and then it goes downhill. The plants that work well in your tank may be less dependent on or better in competing for whatever it is your water lacks.

Good luck figuring it out ^^ Good plant growth is really rewarding.

 

Pascal has you covered, just want to say I'm glad you made a connection with your seeming plant failure and your soft water. I completely agree with your assessment, I have trouble keeping plants in tanks with TDS lower than 90. But I'm able to keep water lettuce regardless, so I have a question, were your water lettuce plants blowing all over or being splashed or even submerged by the filter output? Did you try a corral?

I got those minI ramshorns! I knew they were on a plant I got, thought I picked them all out, but nope! I don't think assassins eat them!!!!

I can't grow anacharis in my bare bottom grow out tanks with 40-80 TDS, but there's a bit of tiny water lettuce and some java fern.

 

I’m mad at you now for your water. I would be pumping out Rams like a mad man!

 

Pascal has you covered, just want to say I'm glad you made a connection with your seeming plant failure and your soft water. I completely agree with your assessment, I have trouble keeping plants in tanks with TDS lower than 90. But I'm able to keep water lettuce regardless, so I have a question, were your water lettuce plants blowing all over or being splashed or even submerged by the filter output? Did you try a corral?

I had them corralled. I knew before hand that they don't like being buffeted around and being submerged was a no no. At first they were growing kinda short but beautiful roots and then they slowly melted away. Same thing happened with my red root floaters I got some frogbit a few weeks ago and so far they seem to be holding up and are actually growing

I got those minI ramshorns! I knew they were on a plant I got, thought I picked them all out, but nope! I don't think assassins eat them!!!!

Actually my assassins seem to enjoy all types of snails. My first invasion of snails was ramshorns and then I ended up with some bladder snails. At first I was concerned because it seemed like the assassins weren't going to go after them. They finally did though and now they are all gone.

I can't grow anacharis in my bare bottom grow out tanks with 40-80 TDS, but there's a bit of tiny water lettuce and some java fern.

I am thrilled to see my java fern growing in the one tank. That tells me that there is maybe a light at the end of the tunnel for me.

Good to hear that you can get some plants to grow well Always a relief when it isn't a total failure, that just tends to make you lose interest because frustration.
Strange though, I would expect frogbit to fail much sooner than the things you listed as dying in your tanks.

What you said about seeing good growth at first does really make me thing it is some kind of nutrient lack - it grows well until it has depleted whatever internal storage it had from its previous environment and then it goes downhill. The plants that work well in your tank may be less dependent on or better in competing for whatever it is your water lacks.

Good luck figuring it out ^^ Good plant growth is really rewarding.

thank you so much for helping me with this. It does get kinda frustrating and it helps to be able to talk to folks that know how disheartening it can be when most every thing is dying.

I have only had the frogbit for a short time but it does seem to be lasting longer than any of the other floating plants I have tried.

I’m mad at you now for your water. I would be pumping out Rams like a mad man!

I wish I could pipe some of it up to you

 

These are minI ramshorns! Not the normal type. They are as small as limpets almost. I've been removing them as I see them, but there's lots everyday! Oh well. My water is pretty much too soft to keep most snails. I hope they don't explode on me though!

Sorry about your water lettuce, but glad the frogbit is growing

 

These are minI ramshorns! Not the normal type. They are as small as limpets almost. I've been removing them as I see them, but there's lots everyday! Oh well. My water is pretty much too soft to keep most snails. I hope they don't explode on me though!

Sorry about your water lettuce, but glad the frogbit is growing

I see, just itty bitty guys. I hope for your sake they don't explode on ya

Maybe my really soft water is why my assassins haven't exploded in numbers like some folks have reported theirs doing.

Hopefully once I get this worked out my baby water lettuce and red root floaters will start growing for me. I so wanted them to do well.

 

Maybe my really soft water is why my assassins haven't exploded in numbers like some folks have reported theirs doing.

Definitely - just like all inverts, snails do considerably worse in very soft water. That is to say, they won't die because they are super tough, but you can most definitely keep a handle on snail numbers by softening the water. In my own tanks, as soon as the GH rises above 5 there is a snail explosion. Below that, you still get the eggs and the tiny young snails, but they have a very hard time growing and adults are far and few between.

Now I'm curious though, I have one tank that has pure rainwater in it (used for cultivating mosquito larvae, bloodworms, etc.) but I did plant it and the plants in it do surprisingly well. No easy growers if I recall. TDS can't be much higher than yours. I'll look up the details tomorrow, all the lights are off already.

 

Equilibrium is ordered and is supposed to be here Wednesday. I know like most things it will be trial and error to fine tune the right numbers but I don't even know what number I should be aiming for.

For this reason I use a GH/KH+ only product rather than a general re-mineralisation supplement. Also use way less than the recommended dose.

Can you point me to the GH/KH+ product that you use?

BTW: I have upgraded the light on my 55 gallon tank. I replace the florescent tube lights to a led shop light. It is only 4500 lumens but hopefully it will be good enough to help my plants. I know it sure makes my tank look better.

 

Equilibrium is ordered and is supposed to be here Wednesday. I know like most things it will be trial and error to fine tune the right numbers but I don't even know what number I should be aiming for.

Can you point me to the GH/KH+ product that you use?

BTW: I have upgraded the light on my 55 gallon tank. I replace the florescent tube lights to a led shop light. It is only 4500 lumens but hopefully it will be good enough to help my plants. I know it sure makes my tank look better.

If the shop light take plain bulbs you should b able to get 6500k Philips brand I believe I was using wit my shop lights before changing to led strips

 

If the shop light take plain bulbs you should b able to get 6500k Philips brand I believe I was using wit my shop lights before changing to led strips

This is already led lights. Hopefully it will be better than the florescent bulbs that came with the new hood I bought recently. Hubby replaced all 8 of his original 4 ft florescent shop lights with these 4 ft LED lights and I had him order one extra for me.

I am hoping this light will be enough to help low light plants grow for me. If I find that they don't I may have to just bite the bullet and buy a different one. I will give this one a chance first though.