Reef lights in planted tank?

I know the range of full spectrum lighting for tanks is recommended at 6500. What about a daylight spectrum/actinic blue light at 10000, or any other 10k bulb?

 

Actinic blue won't help plants, but 10000 K can grow plants!

 

Actinic blue won't help plants, but 10000 K can grow plants!

The bulb is dual daylight white/actinic blue, and looking at the compact fluorescent it has one white tube and one blueish tube. Since it has the full spectrum white portion and is rated at 10k, despite the actinic blue it will still work fine?

 

It should be fine for low light plants, depending on the height of the tank and the PAR (which you can very roughly use wattage to estimate). I would replace the actinic bulb with a plant-friendly one.

 

What about the Aqueon Floramax T8?

 

If you already have the T8 fixture, you can get a bulb from a hardware store or online for much cheaper than the Aqueon brand one. Just get one with a light temp of 5000 - 10000 K, with 6500 ideal.

If you don't have the T8 fixture, there are better lighting options out there.

 

I can't find anything about the kelvin rating of the Floramax T8, anyone else know? It does show on the box that it is mostly a red spectrum light but I don't know the actual numbers.

 

I couldn't find it either Truthfully, it's cheaper and will work just as well to get a non-aquarium branded bulb elsewhere.