20k or 14k

[Jds53]

I have a 24 Gal nano w/ a 150 watt. 20k. I was wondering if a 14k might be better for this tank. The 20k has been on for 3 months now and i haven't had much coral growth. Let me know what you think.
The tank has 3 sps frags. A brain, shrooms, leathers ........

 

[fishes2889]

The higher the k elvin rating the more coral growth you will have.

Step up to the 14k and you will see some grow with good colors as well....

Steve

 

[Jds53]

Thanks do i need to take any precautions when changing the bulb. Like raising the lamp or less on time. Any risk of bleaching?

 

[fishes2889]

You might want to put some sort of distortion underneath the light like say screening or something of that sort. Put a couple of sheets of screening and take one off every couple days to get the corals acclimatted to the new light..... just a precaution....

Steve

 

[fishes2889]

or raise it like you said.....

Steve

 

[GSMguy]

real question is what bulb some 10k bulbs have less par than a good 14 or 20k

 

[BridgetP]

Go with a 14k. i used to run 20ks and they really do give nice color. But things werent there true color. blues would turn purple . I switched to phoenix 14ks onl all my tanks, 150 watters and 250 watters and all corals look great under these bulbs. they seem to be the best of both worlds give you nice blue with a white balance. I cn literally watch my monties in my stoney tank growing up the rock walls everyday.

 

[Jds53]

The 14k bulb i have is the one that came w/ my jbj viper light. On it it prints JBJ 150 watt. 14000k.

 

[Jds53]

The 20k bulb (on the tank now) is a Hamilton tech 150w de 20000k

 

[BridgetP]

go with a phoenix 14k bulb. personally I love them. i cant say it enough.

 

[Lagger]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8780919#post8780919 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishes2889
The higher the k elvin rating the more coral growth you will have.

That is an incorrect statement. Typically, the lower the K rating, the higher the par = more growth.

This can also be true higher K rating, which will produce more color.

 

[Lagger]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8781446#post8781446 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jds53
The 20k bulb (on the tank now) is a Hamilton tech 150w de 20000k

The Hammy 20k is blue!, especially on an e-ballast.

I'd say the phoenix is almost just as blue, but with more of a white hue that breaks through & lightens up the tank. This is visually apparent when you compare the 2 bulbs.

If you like the color, buy the phoenix, better par/same color.

 

[leeweber85]

It's only been 3 months, you can't really judge anything on that. SPS grows slow, brains grow slow, leathers grow slow under halides, mushrooms don't do as well under halides either. I'd say you're bulb is fine and you just need some patience.