Some questions about PAR / Kelvin

[DoubleDutch]

Had a discussion at another forum about the best tubes for planted tanks. The knowledge overhere (Holland) doesn't go further than Kelvin / colorpeaks matter (mainly in 3-band tubes). In the discussion I was told Kelvin doesn't matter, but only PAR (which makes sense). The thing is I was told all tubes have a "PAR-output" so it doesn't matter what tubes you are going to use. Think this is strange and that's why Ai like to ask if there is a relation to color and PAR? Does a tube with lots of red have a higher PAR than a tube with a peak in green. Thanks in advance. Regards Aad

 

[EnderUK]

color peak will make things seem brigther, certain colours will be richer cheap-ho-t5-fluorescent-tubes-update-with-photos. It might slightly effect par but not that it matters. It's just how our eyes work.

Generally all T5HE will give about the same PAR levels, againt the same is true of T5HO and T8. An 8w T5HO and a 14w bulb T%HO will give around the same par level just over a greater length. Distance from the tube will affect par levels as well as reflector qualitity.
Par Vs Distance. As you can see T5HO will give higher PAR levels at depth that t8 or t5he.

 

[Martin in Holland]

To my knowledge is Kelvin just the color our eyes pick up and has indeed no correlation with PAR....red, white, purple doesn't matter as far as I know.

 

[Edvet]

No color has no measurable effect on PAR, sadly dutch forums are still rehashing old inaccurate information (niet uit te roeien).
Luckily it's very easy to give a lot (often to much even) of PAR, so use the colors you like, not the expensive tubes people like to sell.Just buy cheap ones from the Gamma or Praxis.

 

[DoubleDutch]

Only using those Ed (Karwei), but 830/840 (3000 and 4000K tubes cause the peak of red would be good for plantgrowth (and the grow well !!) But all others would do as well I understand?

 

[Edvet]

Yup, plants dont need the reds, blues, purples or greens, (depending on which manufacturer) just PAR.

 

[Martin in Holland]

I use Giesemann tubes here, not because they are better, but just as cheap here as the ones from Gamma or Praxis there...also, here you can't trust much other lights for the information is seldom correct.

 

[ceg4048]

Had a discussion at another forum about the best tubes for planted tanks. The knowledge overhere (Holland) doesn't go further than Kelvin / colorpeaks matter (mainly in 3-band tubes). In the discussion I was told Kelvin doesn't matter, but only PAR (which makes sense). The thing is I was told all tubes have a "PAR-output" so it doesn't matter what tubes you are going to use. Think this is strange and that's why Ai like to ask if there is a relation to color and PAR? Does a tube with lots of red have a higher PAR than a tube with a peak in green. Thanks in advance. Regards Aad

There is a relationship between color wavelength and PAR. The relationship becomes irrelevant however based on how bulbs work and on how plants work. More data can be found in the post http://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/cheap-asda-ikea-etc-light-bulbs.21442/#post-219292

Cheers,

 

[DoubleDutch]

There is a relationship between color wavelength and PAR. The relationship becomes irrelevant however based on how bulbs work and on how plants work. More data can be found in the post http://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/cheap-asda-ikea-etc-light-bulbs.21442/#post-219292

Cheers,

Thanks. Think I've some reading to do !!
Regards Aad