10000k vs 12000 FAST!!!

[TANK0789]

whats the differance?

 

[Padrino]

colour spectum is different. 10000K is white

 

[TANK0789]

is one better then the other? i would plan on just some soft corals could i do more corals with 12?

 

[Padrino]

not 100% sure but to do hard corals uyou need a Metal Halide setup

 

[Padrino]

not 100% sure but to do hard corals and clams you should use a Metal Halide setup

 

[TANK0789]

ok so when it comes to soft corals 12k vs 10k dont really matter? im thinking about getting these


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260277039896


the guy it from wisconsin which is were im from so it pretty nice about an hour away

 

[Padrino]

now don't quote me cause i m new at this but based on teh research ive done in books and on teh internet, powercompacts are better than flourent but not as good as T5 HO or MH.

 

[TANK0789]

yeah thats what i have heard but these powercompacts will do what i need them to do which is supply me with some soft corals. and later on i will make a fixture for mh's if i ever want hards. i mean for 200 dollars cant go wrong!

 

[Padrino]

should work. i know my lfs tried to sell me a coralife lunar system which had PCs to run for soft coral so it should be ok. good luck

 

[reefergeorge]

I prefer 14k. 10 is way too yellow. So I would go with 12k.
I would also try to get a t5 setup so you don't need to upgrade to a different fixture in a year.

 

[crvz]

You surely do not need MH for stony corals, there are some really good fluorescent options that will grow anything in your tank (look at T5 bulbs with individual reflectors). Regarding the difference between 10000K and 12000K bulbs, it's just a grade of coloration. It's the Kelvin rating, an values lower on the spectrum are more yellow in color, the higher in value the more blue in color. A 10000K is a bit more in the yellow range for my preference, I think a 12000K would be a bit more crisper white.

 

[TANK0789]

awesome thank you. and why would i need to upgrade in a year?

 

[D to the P]

You would need to upgrade if you want to do anything in that tank but softies.

The corals won't really care if the light is 10,000K or 12,000K. It'll be your own personal preference. I'd go with 12,000K but either way the soft corals will grow.

 

[TANK0789]

ok thanks alot guys

 

[reefergeorge]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13219260#post13219260 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TANK0789
awesome thank you. and why would i need to upgrade in a year?

Just because that is the way this hobby is. You buy a 75 you want a 125 then a 180 then a 300. Same with lights.

 

[mattnbecs]

I have ended up with a 10000K and a 14000K in my tank after I had a MH failure.

The color is very different, with the 10000K being a lot whiter (almost too much) compared to the 14000K. I read that the 10000K will yeald better growth of corral (and algae) then the 14000K. Personally I prefer the look of the 14000K and will switch the 10000K to 14000K once the 10000K life has run out.

I guess 12000K would be a good compromise between color and growth.