Maybe A Silly Question About 6500k Plant Lights

[brandon1]

Okay so I googled 6500k light bulbs and found what looked like one that would go in a dome fixture, but are there really 6500k bulbs made for dome fixtures? And if so are they legit, as in do they work like a long 6500k bulb in a long light fixture? I think I've heard that having a long light fixture with a plant light is best for plants because it sends out more light and covers more of the plant, but I would have the dome directly over a hibiscus. So I guess what I'm really asking is if there are 6500k bulbs made for dome fixtures, and if so, I'm going to try it out to see if it works. If it fails, and the plant dies, then I will try a few more times, and maybe try a few things differently before admitting defeat and going with a long light fixture with a 6500k bulb.

Also if anyone out there does use 6500k bulbs in dome fixtures over hibiscus I'd like to know how that works out for you. And like to know any tips that you may have, other than taking the plant outside every now and then or rotating two different hibiscus in and out of the house.

 

[brandon1]

Bump

Still curious about this....

 

[clarkrw3]

Okay so I googled 6500k light bulbs and found what looked like one that would go in a dome fixture, but are there really 6500k bulbs made for dome fixtures? And if so are they legit, as in do they work like a long 6500k bulb in a long light fixture? I think I've heard that having a long light fixture with a plant light is best for plants because it sends out more light and covers more of the plant, but I would have the dome directly over a hibiscus. So I guess what I'm really asking is if there are 6500k bulbs made for dome fixtures, and if so, I'm going to try it out to see if it works. If it fails, and the plant dies, then I will try a few more times, and maybe try a few things differently before admitting defeat and going with a long light fixture with a 6500k bulb.

Also if anyone out there does use 6500k bulbs in dome fixtures over hibiscus I'd like to know how that works out for you. And like to know any tips that you may have, other than taking the plant outside every now and then or rotating two different hibiscus in and out of the house.

I use 6500k on all my cages and they work great for most plants. CFL's work fine in a dome but I use liner bulbs because they cover more of the cage but both will work. For a Hibiscus you need more than one bulb. From experience you need at least three bulbs of 6500K for a hibiscus and even then they don't look great. They really NEED sunlight. I have lots of hibiscus trees outside for the chams but I keep more "keeper friendly" plants indoors. The people that I have heard of that work the best use 4 light t5 fixtures or rotate plants inside and outside to keep them alive.

 

[EvilLost]

6500K is the color temperature of the light. It is a representation of the wavelengths of light emitted. This has NOTHING to do with the "type" of bulb (CFL, MH, HPS, T8, T5, etc).

Yes, they do make 6500K bulbs...this is the typical approximation of the "daylight" found outside



To be clear: Color Temperature has **NOTHING** to do with "how much" light there is, it has to do with what "color" the light is! The amount of light is roughly represented by your wattage (or lumens of the bulb).

 

[ataraxia]

Wattage use and the amount of lumens it produces will vary per type of light source used also.

http://www.efi.org/factoids/lumens.html

 

[ataraxia]

I did a quick search for ya. These look like they might be super bright though.
http://www.1000bulbs.com/category/300-watt-equal-compact-fluorescents-6500K/

Note: i have no experiences at whether or not this bulb would be good for the chameleon.

 

[brandon1]

6500K is the color temperature of the light. It is a representation of the wavelengths of light emitted. This has NOTHING to do with the "type" of bulb (CFL, MH, HPS, T8, T5, etc).

Yes, they do make 6500K bulbs...this is the typical approximation of the "daylight" found outside



To be clear: Color Temperature has **NOTHING** to do with "how much" light there is, it has to do with what "color" the light is! The amount of light is roughly represented by your wattage (or lumens of the bulb).

6500K is the color but lights are also labeled as 6500K, 10,000K, etc...

What's your deal. First your post a while back with the random toxicity BS that was uneccessary in that thread, and now this. If you're not going to have something to say that will be helpful, DON'T SAY IT!!

I mean on a community site that's supposed to help people, you just try to start things. Really get a life, and stop sending your two cents where they're unwanted.

 

[Rottsko]

I use 6500k on all my cages and they work great for most plants. CFL's work fine in a dome but I use liner bulbs because they cover more of the cage but both will work. For a Hibiscus you need more than one bulb. From experience you need at least three bulbs of 6500K for a hibiscus and even then they don't look great. They really NEED sunlight. I have lots of hibiscus trees outside for the chams but I keep more "keeper friendly" plants indoors. The people that I have heard of that work the best use 4 light t5 fixtures or rotate plants inside and outside to keep them alive.

Hey rob,
Try umbrella plants. I have 1 fluorescent 6500k light bulb on top of all my enclosures and they do great. I have a pothos in all my male cages and those things grow out of control.

To the OP. I've only used a fluorescent light bulb that is 6500k in my cages. It works for me. I'm. Ot sure if you'll get enough exposure for the plants if you use a dome light like the others said.

 

[brandon1]

I use 6500k on all my cages and they work great for most plants. CFL's work fine in a dome but I use liner bulbs because they cover more of the cage but both will work. For a Hibiscus you need more than one bulb. From experience you need at least three bulbs of 6500K for a hibiscus and even then they don't look great. They really NEED sunlight. I have lots of hibiscus trees outside for the chams but I keep more "keeper friendly" plants indoors. The people that I have heard of that work the best use 4 light t5 fixtures or rotate plants inside and outside to keep them alive.

Thank you. I may just decide on using a hibiscus for an outside cage, that will be similar and almost identical, to Seeco's. Don't have the money to spend on several lights and then go get a plant that still may not survive lol.

I did a quick search for ya. These look like they might be super bright though.
http://www.1000bulbs.com/category/300-watt-equal-compact-fluorescents-6500K/

Note: i have no experiences at whether or not this bulb would be good for the chameleon.

Thanks! I'll check out the website soon and see if I can't find anything else out about the bulb.

 

[EvilLost]

6500K is the color but lights are also labeled as 6500K, 10,000K, etc...

What's your deal. First your post a while back with the random toxicity BS that was uneccessary in that thread, and now this. If you're not going to have something to say that will be helpful, DON'T SAY IT!!

I mean on a community site that's supposed to help people, you just try to start things. Really get a life, and stop sending your two cents where they're unwanted.

I was trying to answer your question.... why are you mad at me? I'm confused I was merely bolding that statement cause it was the summation/point for those who want to read only one line...

To know if you have enough light or not, you should be looking at how many lumens your bulbs put out. A tube fixture that puts out 100 lumens will have it spread out over a big area so each "spot" gets only a fraction, but a dome "focuses" the light so if that same bulb puts out 100 lumens, most of the 100 lumens gets to wherever the dome is focused to light....if you have a bunch of plants the tube may be better to spread out the light in order to light them all, but like you said you have only 1 hibiscus it will actually be better to focus the light to the hibiscus so you lose minimal to the empty space around it (but watch out for the added heat).

6500K is the color temperature that represents the mix of daylight the most accurately. A bulb labelled 10,000K is a bulb that is much more "blue" (has less red wavelengths in it) so this won't help your plants go through photosynthesis. Similarly, a bulb with a lower K rating (like 3000K) will have less blue and more red instead.

Aquariums use 10,000K bulbs because red wavelengths of light don't penetrate into the water as well and so through time aquatic plants have evolved to using blue wavelengths more. This is why corals "color up" when we use blue heavy lights (they don't do the same photosynthesis that non-aquatic plants do).

For above-ground plants, you want the closest to sunlight (6500K) to get ideal plant growth (and imo, it looks the best visually too). This is because both chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b require red AND blue wavelengths in their production.

Is there a particular reason you were surprised that that they made 6500k color bulbs for standard light sockets?


I tend to be very direct; I'm sorry if it comes across confrontational, but I have no intent to "start" anything

 

[Whatcamo]

Most all general screw in compact fluorescent bulbs are in the 6500k range unless they specifically say cool white and that's more in the 10k range home depot has 300w equivelant compact fluorescent lights if you put them in a large dome and keep them 12-14" above your enclosure you'll have enough light to grow anything almost under it
HTH

 

[EvilLost]

Most all general screw in compact fluorescent bulbs are in the 6500k range unless they specifically say cool white and that's more in the 10k range home depot has 300w equivelant compact fluorescent lights if you put them in a large dome and keep them 12-14" above your enclosure you'll have enough light to grow anything almost under it
HTH

I think you meant that backwards

Most "household" bulbs are in the 2000-5000K range (from "warmer" to "cooler"), though I have seen a large increase in recent years of 6500K household bulbs as well.

I would not assume that your bulb is 6500K even if it says "daylight" on it though; "daylight" is often considered from 5000-7000K (from my experiences; since there is no official standardization, it varies by manufacturer to some extent).
Look for the actual "color temperature" value on the bulb for best accuracy.

 

[brandon1]

I was trying to answer your question.... why are you mad at me? I'm confused I was merely bolding that statement cause it was the summation/point for those who want to read only one line...

To know if you have enough light or not, you should be looking at how many lumens your bulbs put out. A tube fixture that puts out 100 lumens will have it spread out over a big area so each "spot" gets only a fraction, but a dome "focuses" the light so if that same bulb puts out 100 lumens, most of the 100 lumens gets to wherever the dome is focused to light....if you have a bunch of plants the tube may be better to spread out the light in order to light them all, but like you said you have only 1 hibiscus it will actually be better to focus the light to the hibiscus so you lose minimal to the empty space around it (but watch out for the added heat).
If you read the last part of my first paragraph, of my original post, you will see that I changed my mind and am not concerned with this anymore, but only if there are 6500K bulbs made for dome fixtures.


6500K is the color temperature that represents the mix of daylight the most accurately. A bulb labelled 10,000K is a bulb that is much more "blue" (has less red wavelengths in it) so this won't help your plants go through photosynthesis. Similarly, a bulb with a lower K rating (like 3000K) will have less blue and more red instead.

Aquariums use 10,000K bulbs because red wavelengths of light don't penetrate into the water as well and so through time aquatic plants have evolved to using blue wavelengths more. This is why corals "color up" when we use blue heavy lights (they don't do the same photosynthesis that non-aquatic plants do).
Again, if this was a thread asking about light colors and temperatures, this information could be useful. But not here, not for me. I, in fact already know about the colors associated with whatever K a bulb is and know that 10,000K bulbs are really for like fish tanks, not plants. I'm assuming that you posted this part (the part that starts with 6500K and the part that starts with Aquariums) because I said, "6500K is the color but lights are also labeled as 6500K, 10,000K, etc...". Mind you I was only stating that while 6500K is a color of light, it is also simply called a 6500K bulb and the same goes with 10,000K bulbs and others.


For above-ground plants, you want the closest to sunlight (6500K) to get ideal plant growth (and imo, it looks the best visually too). This is because both chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b require red AND blue wavelengths in their production.
I already knew this, and did not ask for this information, and would have been fine without you posting this part. And yes I agree that 6500K probably is the best looking.

Is there a particular reason you were surprised that that they made 6500k color bulbs for standard light sockets?


I tend to be very direct; I'm sorry if it comes across confrontational, but I have no intent to "start" anything

It's just lately a bunch of people want to reply to threads just to put they're two cents in and are not really helping out the person asking the question at all. I was not interested in having a plant and light lesson, just wanted to know if 6500K bulbs were actually made for dome fixtures as I have only seen them as long bulbs. I was not suprised that 6500K bulbs were made for standard light sockets, I just wasn't sure as I have never seen any before.

And how you began to explain color temperature and how 6500K has nothing to do with the type of bulb, and bolded/all caps things it pissed me off as I seen you just trying to explain how 6500K is not a type of light bulb but ONLY a color. Which this is not true; look at however you want, I consider 6500K as a type of light, as well as knowing that it is obviously a color/temperature of light. And for the last part that you bolded, I didn't see how that was anyway going to help me, or anyone else reading for that matter, on this subject. If this thread was started by asking about color temps and different types of lighting I can see where your response would have been very helpful, but for here, not too much to me.

The reason I mentioned this: What's your deal. First your post a while back with the random toxicity BS that was uneccessary in that thread, and now this. If you're not going to have something to say that will be helpful, DON'T SAY IT!!

I mean on a community site that's supposed to help people, you just try to start things. Really get a life, and stop sending your two cents where they're unwanted.
is because is because a while back on this post: https://www.chameleonforums.com/im-really-confused-78102/ you posted something about toxicity, but while it still pretained to her question, it would not have helped her in any way. Personally I think you would have been better off starting that information you gave in a new thread. It was good info, but it made me mad as you didn't really help her, and you kinda "down-talked" her by stating "I just want to clarify that many people throw around the word "toxic" but it is very important to ask HOW." It just came off as a rude statement, and whenever you post something like this you should understand that something like that will sound rude and make you look like an ass because no one but yourself knows what kind of tone you are saying any of this in.

If your response to me would have been the first that I had seen from you that didn't actually answer a qustion but more or less was you giving a lecture on anything that could pretain to the subject, then I wouldn't have blown up as I did. Also with the addition of seeing a lot of people on here just being really rude lately, and not helping at all (the instance I'm talking about is how a member on here was reprimanded by posting two threads that were the same but were put in different topics because she was worried about her eggs since it was her first time, and with the same member being down-talked by another member when it came to chameleon handling and he bluntly stated you don't handle chams period (saying this to a new member) and she was simply saying that it was ok, which it is, and that you just have to work with the chams on it. And he responds by undermining her and claiming how he bets she doesn't even wash her hands after handling one of her herps and then handling her chams). This, along with all the other negative things recently coming off of this site lately, has caused her to want to leave which really pisses me off and makes me want to find these people and beat the shit out of them because she really seems like a cool person, and for her to leave would just not be cool at all.

With all of this said, I will finish by first apologizing to you for the way I responded, and to any mods and children out there reading this for the cursing, but I really couldn't hold back anymore.

EvilLost, I know I am still only very young being 19, and have a little under a year experience dealing with chameleons, but I assure you I already have more knowledge when it comes to chams and other animals, and anything pretaining to them, than a lot people in this world will gain in their lifetime. So from now on, for me if you don't mind, only respond to one of my questions by answering only the questioned asked and do not begin a "lecture" as to prevent another one of these conversations between the two of us again OK

 

[UrbanChameleon]

I do agree that some people have been really rude lately. I understand that new people asking the same questions over and over again may be annoying, but come on. No one is better than anyone else. We all started somewhere with Chameleon keeping. Not one person came into this knowing everything. I know of one other person that refuses to make an account on the forum because she was afraid people would be rude to her. It really makes me sad. I've tried convincing her that when you own a Chameleon this place is your "Chameleon Owner Bible", but she still refuses. And honestly sometimes I don't blame her. I have met some amazing, nice, and considerate people on here. And then there are others. I was very appalled by the rudeness of certain people lately. And they weren't necessarily first offenders either. I'm just glad someone else notices and is upset by it. I usually feel like I'm the only one disgusted by their behavior. We shouldn't have to private message an OP every time some jerk decides to post for no reason, other than putting he/she down. These people know what they are doing, and they do it anyways. This should be a great place for people to learn and share experiences. Not be threatened to not ask certain questions. That is where the Chameleons suffer.

Evil.. this is in no way directed towards you. It's pertaining to the certain cases listed off in the post above. And I don't mean to go totally off topic, but I felt something should be said.

 

[CamiGirl89]

I totally agree with an increase in rudeness. It needs to stop. We are a COMMUNITY and a CHAMELEON FAMILY! Treat eachother with respect, not with distaste or unhelpful things just because you have nothing better to do but be negative. If someone is doing something wrong, NICELY make the suggestions of what they should do better. I am probably not going to be on this site much longer because I am fed up of individuals treating myself and others like children. Just because you have bred for a long time does not mean you know more than someone else. Be courteous of others. We are hear to learn and expand our knowledge in these animals, not to be looked down upon! I am not directing this towards anyone in this thread, but mainly hoping that others begin taking notice of their attitudes towards others, or those who have yet to be rude might continue being helpful. That is all I've got, thank you!

 

[Davonat]

Back to the original question...... Go to Light Your Reptiles and check out thier Indoor sunshine compact flouresent bulbs These bulbs are probably exactly what you are looking for. Check out the 25 watt'r.... Dave

 

[brandon1]

Back to the original question...... Go to Light Your Reptiles and check out thier Indoor sunshine compact flouresent bulbs These bulbs are probably exactly what you are looking for. Check out the 25 watt'r.... Dave

Hey Dave,

thank you for responding to my original question, as this thread has turned into one about rudeness and not the plant light, which I am perfectly fine with by the way because this issue needs to be addressed because it's starting to get out of hand, but I have just decided to only use hibiscus in outside enclosures. I mentioned that I may just do that earlier in the thread but maybe you didn't see it, and if you did thank you anyways for still answering my original question as someone else may need the info you provided and I, myself, may try hibiscus under that light one day. So again thanks

 

[UrbanChameleon]

Hey Dave,

thank you for responding to my original question, as this thread has turned into one about rudeness and not the plant light, which I am perfectly fine with by the way because this issue needs to be addressed because it's starting to get out of hand, but I have just decided to only use hibiscus in outside enclosures. I mentioned that I may just do that earlier in the thread but maybe you didn't see it, and if you did thank you anyways for still answering my original question as someone else may need the info you provided and I, myself, may try hibiscus under that light one day. So again thanks

Yeah I live in KY and I can't even find a Hibiscus anywhere. I guess because of our changing seasons they do not sell them here. I would love to own a Hibiscus and will honestly probably move to Florida/California one day so my Chameleons can be happy. But if I were you.. I would have Umbrella, Ficus, and Pothos in the indoor cages. Outdoors you could have any of those, plus a Hibiscus. I have to say.. I am very jealous of you Hibiscus owners. That is my dream Chameleon tree. Lol.

 

[brandon1]

Yeah I live in KY and I can't even find a Hibiscus anywhere. I guess because of our changing seasons they do not sell them here. I would love to own a Hibiscus and will honestly probably move to Florida/California one day so my Chameleons can be happy. But if I were you.. I would have Umbrella, Ficus, and Pothos in the indoor cages. Outdoors you could have any of those, plus a Hibiscus. I have to say.. I am very jealous of you Hibiscus owners. That is my dream Chameleon tree. Lol.

Haha yes, a Hibiscus would be awesome to have in their cage. But my plants will be, Schefflera, Dracena, Pothos, and possibly Croton for the indoor cage(s)(already have a couple small Umbrellas, but I'm getting a bigger one); outdoor I will construct a cage(s) similar to Seeco's and they will have Hibiscus.

Oh by the way, GO TO FLORIDA

 

[UrbanChameleon]

Haha yes, a Hibiscus would be awesome to have in their cage. But my plants will be, Schefflera, Dracena, Pothos, and possibly Croton for the indoor cage(s)(already have a couple small Umbrellas, but I'm getting a bigger one); outdoor I will construct a cage(s) similar to Seeco's and they will have Hibiscus.

Oh by the way, GO TO FLORIDA

I need pictures when you're done. Don't you hold out on me.

I'm telling you.. I LOVE (not screaming) my Ficus. It's variegated and one of the most beautiful Ficus trees I've ever seen. It's nice and strong too. All I can fit in Bodhi's cage is a Umbrella and Ficus. The Ficus is still really small for his age and the Umbrella needs to get about a foot taller. So I've still got a long way to go with them but they work great. I would really like some color in his cage. Any recommendations?

Have you looked into LED lighting? I've read little about it, and what I have read has been confusing. I really really really want to add it to my cage though. The benefits are awesome. I don't know where I would get the right kind, or if I could get one to fit a dome fixture. My cage is 4 foot and I don't even think my linear 5.0 UVB bulb is reaching it. I barely think it's reaching my Cham actually. I was using the CFL's before. I can't get the UVB fixture in the right position and it seems to penetrate less. I understand it is more spread out, which is why I got it. I would add a 5.0 CFL to one of the corners of his cage if I didn't think that would be too much.

Anyways.. LED lighting. Let's get on the ball with this. Is there anyone out there who can explain it in small words? And if you do use big words.. explain what they mean. I'm pretty well versed in everything except this one subject. I just can't seem to get it. I've yet to really have someone who can tell me in simple terms though. Pictures would also be great if anyone uses this. Me and you can get the complete lighting set-up Brandon. Let's do it!