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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Do corals benefit from the 20K light or is it only to enjoy the coloration of corals? What I mean is, does it have enough par? For example, if I keep my 20k for 8 hours and the 10k only for 3 or 4 hours maximum (With the same intensity), will the corals benefit? Thanks in advance

Johnny
 

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Only 20k? How many hours? Also, How long have you been doing this?
Yes 20k MH. I have been using 20k on and off for 6 mouths. I have been using 2- 20k 400watt MH over my frag tanks for 1 month and I can't belive how fast my caps are growing. Time is 1pm-10pm. I use that time becouse I home around those times.

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Discussion Starter · #7 ·
Ok, thanks. That's what I really wanted to hear.

Johnny
Yes 20k MH. I have been using 20k on and off for 6 mouths. I have been using 2- 20k 400watt MH over my frag tanks for 1 month and I can't belive how fast my caps are growing. Time is 1pm-10pm. I use that time becouse I home around those times.

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Monti caps aren't nearly as fussy about light sources because the zooxanthellae algae that inhabit a capricornis are growing pretty much horizontal, and just want tons of light. In my experience monti-caps actually thrive under point source, deep blue LEDs while the same light source would cause dead under-growth and lanky extension on SPS. Most of the anemic monti-caps I've seen with faded color seem to be under T5's.

Lots of debate about color temperature and it's affect on SPS, but a lack of hard data in the industry. By and large though most hardcore SPS growers I know swear that 10k halides or mixing in 10k T5 bulbs produce thicker growth than 20k lights.

The prevailing theory is while green/yellow/orange light has little PAR value for corals it does help the coral with growth patterns. Basically, a 10k light source tells a hard coral it's growing closer to the surface of the water while a 20k light source tells a coral it's deeper. So, under the warmer light source the coral would push more of it's energy into growing horizontal, and hence more spherical than vertical. I see a lot of SPS tanks under 20k or LED lights dialed in with too much royal that have 'lanky' or spindly growth.

Might be BS, but it also might explain why the old timers still like 10k lights.
 

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Long term exposure to 20k lights brings the color out more in coral. Not just while your watching them under the 20k lights but when you remove them from the lights the color has improved also.

I use LEDs and get slightly improved growth when I run the whites higher, but I get continued color improvement and better viewing colors with high blue and low whites. And yes, only blue light will give you enough par to keep coral including sps alive.... if you have enough of it. If you run say 6 t5 bulbs w/ mixed colors you should still run 6 bulbs but could go with more or all blue and be ok.... dropping to only 2-3 blue and nothing else would likely have a negative impact obviously.
 
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