10,000K to 14,000K

[shaginwagon13]

I have the Coralife 72" Aqualight Pro - 250W and I was wondering if I change my 10,000 K bulbs to 14,000 or 20,000K bulbs will my take produce algae until it gets used to the new lights?

 

[reefnetworth]

10K is white, 14K is light blue, 20K is purple-blue.

the higher the Kelvin (K) rating, the less algae you should have.
there are a few things that increase algae growth other than lighting.
such as:

PO4 & N03 levels.

length of the lights cycle. (MH's, 8 hrs. per day is average, PC's or T-5's/T-8's appx. 10 hrs per day.)

how often and how much you are feeding per day as well as the food itself, can create a nutrient enriched tank feeding the algae.

minimum of 20% water change weekly, 30% is best! along with filter changes bi-weekly will also help reduce algae growth.

 

[shaginwagon13]

Oh I didn't know that about the light colors of the different lights...can I put 14 or 20K lights if my light fixture came with 10K? Also which one looks the best....the 14K or the 20K?

 

[wjfrank07]

You can put whatever kelvin rated bulb in that you want. The color choice is really just a matter of preference.

I currently have 4x 65W (2 10,000K and 2 actinic) PC bulbs and planning on upgrading to 3 or 4 MHs (probably 150W) at 14,000K for more of a blue look.

 

[kzickovich]

my opinion is 14k looks better the down side is coral growth is slower with 14k vs. 10k

 

[sufunk]

If you want the bluer look of the higer k's but the growth of the lower k's, you can try the Reeflux 12k. I've never used them but everyone raves about them. I have seen them and they are nice.

I use Phoenix 14k's which are pretty blue but i think they are incredible. Good growth and definitely makes the color pop!

 

[shaginwagon13]

Since I have three 10K bulbs is it possible to switch the two outside bulbs to the Reeflux 12k and keep the middle bulb as the regular 10K that I currently have or should all three lights be the same?

 

[Capt_Cully]

You can do that. It's the wattage that needs to be the same. It may give you an inconsistent coloration when viewing the whole tank.

As for algae, 10's would give you a bloom. Or at least an increase in the kind you find on your glass. There is a 6500 that wil most assuredly give you algae problems, but phenomenal coral growth. Very yellowish color.

 

[snorvich]

You could mix, but it may look a little strange. On one of my tanks, I have the ability to run two colors over the same area; I run 20K radiums and 10K Reeflux. The 10k runs for 5 hours and the 20k for 10 hours.

 

[shaginwagon13]

...Ok ill stick to all the lights being the same. How much slower is the growth by switching to 15K lights? I would love to have a blueish color in my tank when the lights are on I think it would look so much better with all the coral and LR I have. Are there any corals or clams that are not able to survive under 15K or 20K lights??

 

[snorvich]

Well spectrum is not a problem for survival. Light intensity is more of an issue. Do you have SE or DE? How deep is your tank?

 

[shaginwagon13]

What does SE or DE mean? My tank is 60 X 24 X 30

 

[cbrguy]

Single End (mogul) and Double End

 

[shaginwagon13]

Ummm I'm pretty sure its double ended...I have the 72'' version

http://www.oceanicsystems.com/products/aqualight-pro-series.php

 

[heyfredyourhat]

I have one 14K hamilton and one 14k iwasaki and the iwasaki is alot more yellow than the hamilton, its not yellow like a 10K but it is def. not blue. Same pendants same ballasts.
Both DE, i run them 7 hours per day and then once a week they are off for a day. I am battling HA right now and it seems to work great!