Anybody using 20K getting good growth?

[my2girls]

I'm thinking of switching to 20K from XM 10K. It would be a huge drop in PAR and am worried about growth. Anybody getting good growth from 20K bulbs?

 

[G-money]

What is "good"? It's a very subjective topic and also depends on the corals you are trying to grow. One bulb is not optimal for all corals involved...
I use primarily 20K (250W XM) and have no complaints.
I do spike it with an hour of XM 10K every day...
Light is only part of the equation, though. Animals need food for growth and corals are no exception.

 

[exoticaquatics]

I am running 20k XM 400w and am getting "good " growth. Good coloration too.

 

[mwood]

just run a 1000w 20k radium. That will give you par!

OK, I'm kidding. I'm with g-money. I have 400w Iwasaki's run a few hours each day.

 

[my2girls]

I agree that the term "good" is subjective. I just enjoy my tank more when just the T5 blue+ bulbs are on. Many of my SPS floresce under actinics (green slimer, orange digi, green birds nest, and several acros). That is the only reason for switching to 20K. I run 250 watt SE on standard ballasts. I don't know if 250w 20K has enough punch.

 

[G-money]

Yes, yours is a legit concern. I forgot to mention that I'm also running my 250W 20Ks with a dual HQI ballast, so that adds about 20% more PAR. I personally wouldn't run 20Ks alone on a standard or electronic ballast, but I know people that do and their tanks look as good as most.

 

[Ti]

well compared to the growth I get at like 14k and 10K, It's not so great.r
but yes, very subjective.

 

[mwood]

Here's a question. Can you run a lower par bulb for a longer time to make up for the lack of par? Or in other words, would you get the same growth running a radium for 8 hours as an Iwasaki for 4 hours?

 

[smoke171]

I am running dual ballast HQI 2x 250watt 20k and get good growth. These are the only lights I use

 

[prodman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6634472#post6634472 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mwood
Here's a question. Can you run a lower par bulb for a longer time to make up for the lack of par? Or in other words, would you get the same growth running a radium for 8 hours as an Iwasaki for 4 hours?

I was wondering that myself. I know there are more 20k users out there who could chime in.

 

[mwood]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6667323#post6667323 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by prodman
I was wondering that myself. I know there are more 20k users out there who could chime in.

I just posted the question on Sanjay's thread. We'll see what he thinks.