Are full spectrum lighting 100% necessary?

[gobluewolverines4]

So I bought some CFLs at home depot, about 4750k and I realized they aren't full spectrum, so is that okay? They look great, but I hope they work well with plants. Just java moss/fern. Thoughts?

 

[aqua hobbyist]

They are okay, java moss and germ are low tech plants, therefore they don't need as much light as a normal plant, they would only need at least 15-25 watts!

 

[severum mama]

They'll be fine, I have both plants growing under just ambient room lighting.

 

[aqua_chem]

"Full Spectrum" is a largely meaningless term IMO. Getting a light that looks good to you is far more important, as pretty much any bulb 4000K-12000K will work for planted tanks. With that in mind, the lower temperature bulbs (below about 6000K) start to give the tanks more of a pukey yellow coloration that I for one find very unattractive. The 'daylight' bulbs, that is ones between about 6200K and 7000K (with 6700K and 6500K being far and away the most common) give a natural appearing tank.