10K or 20K, that is the question!

[KyleO]

I have a 210ga mixed reef with 3 250W MH 14K (HQI) lights. I also have 2 T12 50/50 bulbs. I am trying to get a full-spectrum, changing light environment going.

I figure upgrading the middle MH to a 400W MH and am wondering whether I should go with 10K.........to mimic the noon-day, direct full-spectrum situation.

All the lights are on timers........start with T12s in the early morning adding the 2 250W 14K MHs mid-morning, and adding the middle 400W MH around noon. At that point all lights are on until around 3:30pm when I start backing lights off until they are all off by 9:00pm.

Am I way off on this scheme???

All coments and opinions are welcome.

 

[gstuman]

It really depends on whether you like blue or not. I just changed from 2 x 250W HQI 14K to 10K XM's with 2 x T5 Actinics. I really like the change and so do the corals.

I used to dive a lot when I lived in Hawaii and I can tell you that where SPS corals live, near the top of the reef, it sure doesn't look blue like the 14K - 20K bulbs. I'm talking about the top 15' of water or so. when you get down to 30' - 60', depending on water clarity, it starts to look more like the 20K bulbs.

I think it's really just a matter of preference.

 

[ragnaros]

Do you have any pics of your tank with this lighting setup?

Edit - Also, which T5 actinic bulbs are you using?

Thanks

 

[KyleO]

Thanks gstuman........that is pretty much the input I was looking for. I think I will go with the 10K 400W MH in the middle. I am thinking it is the key to producing the "all lights included" build up to noon day light.

I definitely want the coral to be happy and healthy (the expenditure on the extra MH) but I am also going after the aesthetic variance during the day.

I want to be able to get a sense of the time of day by the look of my tank.