difference between plant & aquarium & sun light

[ladyslipper]

Hi guys, I am just back from home depot checking out what i might need for the grow station I need. There were two lights that I am not sure what the difference is. What is the difference (possibly other than the colour of the light emitted) between plant and aquarium lights and sunlight tubes? I thought maybe amongst other things the sunlight might emit light that looks more familiar to us as opposed to the slightly violet coloured lights sometimes seen in aquariums. both of the 24 inch tubes were something like $7.50 (CDN) each.

regards, m

[Ross]

Lotsa folks use just "daylight" t8 florescent tube shop lights with success. Otherwise when using the twisty Compact florescent, try to get the "daylight" blend of light. I puzzled over this for weeks (from both a orchid-growing standpoint as well as photographer's standpoint) and decided that it probably doesn't make that much difference in the end. While I like the T5 lights as well as the Full Spectrum Lighting and Light Therapy lights (I use both) I have talked with lots of commercial growers using normal 2 lamp 48" shop lights with t8 (the skinny bulbs) tubes, daylight blend, to advantage. Don't think you need anything real fancy, unless you want to. Just me.