Bluish/purplish light for freshwater

[borracho]

I bought a 10g along set up from someone, and the light is bluish or almost purple. It this for salt water tanks? The previous owner had freshwater fish, and I plan to have a lot of plans in this tank, and I'm reading that bluish lights don't do anything for the freshwater plants. you guys know anything about this kind light?

 

[Newman]

it sounds like a 10,000K or above light thats made for marine tanks like you said. get a replacement bulb if you can. is this a T-5? or T-8 bulb?

 

[borracho]

I don't know. It's s trip that goes in the hood for the 10g (20x12x10) tank. How do you take out this bulb anyway? I feel like I might break it trying to take it out.

 

[Newman]

its anchored in one of two ways:
1. like a normal long bulb so just twist/turn and raise it out
2. you can unplug it from the fixture...

 

[borracho]

I took out the light to see the label on it. It just says 20" 19W. What are these types of bulb called?

 

[Newman]

prolly a T-8 its its above an inch in thickness. if its massively fat it'd be a T-12 flourescent, but those shouldnt be anywhere near the 10,000K spectrum.
see if you can get the same length light at a pet store? youll want something around 5000-7600K being ideal. anyhing will actually work, but the 10,000K bulbs wouldnt help that much for freshwater plants.

 

[borracho]

Thanks Newman for all the info. You're very resourceful around here!

 

[Newman]

although i may not always be right about things cuz im still a newbie (no pun intended on my username v_v)

 

[Doomhed]

it sounds to me like someone threw in a ghetto styled black light into that hood. This can be quite damaging to fish, as it can cause color fading and cancerous tumors.