10k v 14k v actinics

[kolosy]

i currently have 4x39 actinics and 2x150w10k mhs. under the actinics the coral looks significantly more colorful than when the mh is on. does that mean that it'll look better with the 14ks?

 

[abulgin]

The coral looks better because the blue spectrum of the actinics causes your corals to fluoresce. The bluer the spectrum of your MHs, the more you'll get the same effect. Although not all bulbs of the same temp rating are equal, 14,000K bulbs are generally significantly bluer than 10,000K bulbs, so you could expect to see more of the color you like with the bluer MH bulbs.

 

[kolosy]

is there a drawback to the shifted color spectrum?

 

[TrashBINH]

yes. the par value will be less so growth will be slower but you "should" get better coloration.

 

[TrashBINH]

also... as stated by abulgin, not all bulbs are equal. So some 14k bulbs will have more par then other 10k bulbs.