[JimmyTheJeweler]

Ok right now I have one 400w 14k Coralvue and 2 250w 20k Radiums over the 180. I need to replace the 2 250's and I can't decide on 20k or 14k. I like the blue look but I hear the 14k's give better growth. Comments suggestions help me decide? Thanks!!

 

[E-quality]

I see nothing wrong with 10k alone. All that blue in the 20k's is really uneccesary unless you truely prefer the look. In your case... 14k.

 

[speedstar]

Sent you a PM

 

[Mike]

its preference I think. I personally like the uniform look on a reef so now I do all one color temp. I like 14K's because I like teh blue in them

 

[Preuss Pets]

You'll likely find that the lower Kelvin-rated bulbs will last longer than the 20K's. I've been told by bulb manufacturers that the phosphors that are used to produce the blue color for some reason don't last as long as the ones that produce other colors. Since the 20K's are so heavily geared towards the blue end of the spectrum, I've heard of them lasting as little as six months before needing to be replaced. In addition to that, you mentioned the growth of your corals. Remember that the spectral plot produced by bulbs that are lower in Kelvin temp (I'm thinking of Ushio and XM 10K's in particular) tend to be much more even across the board, where as 20K's often just have one big spike in the lower (blue) end of the spectrum with virtually nothing in the other colors. That is very different from the lighting that corals would naturally receive; they have evolved for something very different. If you really want the vibrant colors that bluer lights often produce, adding extra blue (T5 or VHO maybe) to lower Kelvin-rated bulbs would give you that color without sacrificing the light in the other wavelengths.

Hope that helps,
Clayton

-filling in for Steve while he's on vacation

 

[sean]

I definity say go with my 14k's, 20k's have always looked to blue with me unless you are using 10k's or 65k's along with them.

I would assume also that 14k's will give you better growth because they have a lower kelvin, I really love the look of them. But the only thing that is stopping me is growth, right now since all my sps's are frags, i care more about growth than color. So i went with 10k's, i was even considering just using 65k's... lol.

If you do decide on 14's you might want to pick up some hamiltons this time around, to what you like best.

Btw, do you use any actinic supplemation?

 

[JimmyTheJeweler]

Well I think it is going to be the 14k Hamiltons.
Sean I do not have any actinic supp.
Thanks everyone.

 

[tommyb]

I think this article sums it up pretty good. There are so many more factors to growing corals than lighting, but everyone is always so hung up on this aspect. I am mot even close to be an expert, when it comes to corals I am more of a newbie, but I have been doing alot of reading on it lately.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-08/ac/feature/index.htm

 

[Mike]

that is a good read.

it speaks to some maintenance issues that may be overlooked by reefers.

seems that running carbon to keep water clarity tip top is a good idea and cleansing the bulbs and reflectors weekly will also add some punch to your bulbs.

 

[JimmyTheJeweler]

I lowered my caopy last night 2 inches and wow I couldent believe the difference! Just ordered the bulbs so we shall see.

 

[Specialk]

I would like to lower my lights 1 more inch but I worry about my acrylic. I run 3 400w MH and 6 Actinics.

Can someone explain Sunburt, Ushio, Iwasaki to me. Is this a brand, or are all MH bulb one or the other?
Here is a comparision from Marine Depot, I dont buy from these guys but it does show a big difference in lighting.

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_lighting_metal_halide_bulbs_information_2.asp?ast=&key=

I like sunburst and if I was looking for bulbs to do this for me what would I buy. Will 14Ks do this for me.

KAye