Best Kelvin for MH? True or False

[TomToro]

Can you guys share some experiences with either the 14000k and the 20000k bulbs and which brings out the colors of your corals?

I've read the 20's won't grow coral as well as the 14's. True?

I've read you don't need actinics with the 20's, but do with the 14's. True?

The 20's are too blue and wash out the colors. True?

I have 10000k's and they seem too yellow even with the actinics. Not very good colors compared to the lfs. The lfs has pc's in their zoa tanks and when I bring them home, the colors aren't the same.

Thanks,
Tom

 

[sir_dudeguy]

I've never used MH before, but the higher the K rating, the bluer it is usually, which would make the colors a bit better (but 20K might be a bit too much IMO).

But it seems that 14K is a very commonly used rating, but it also depends on the balast how blue it will burn. Also, i've read that 15K is the worst as far as getting useful light into the tank.

 

[Tang Salad]

1. True
2. More or less true. (Some 14s are plenty blue.)
3. Depends on the bulb.

 

[stevedola]

14k bulbs have better par---- 14k AB's are my favorite

I dont have actinics on my 14ks anylonger...i did but took them off. too blue for me-but it depends on your taste. if you like the blue look then use the actinics.

its all taste. I never liked the 20k bulbs-way too blue and overwhelms corals (IMO). I also never like my 10k ushios but people swear by them.

What ever you decide, get a good bulb. Go with top of the line. It makes a difference when dealing with bulbs and most things in general.

My vote is for 14k Ab

 

[alizarin]

As I understand it, the way it works is - White light (6500k- 10000k) is best for growth. Actinic / very blue makes the colors stand out and promotes production of the pigments that make those colors. So you don't NEED actinic but it makes everything more attractive. You do need the whiter light for growth though.

Keep in mind though that all those color numbers are really vague figures... they're just averaging out the entire spectrum and telling you if it looks more blue or white. Corals respond to certain peaks in the spectrum for photosynthesis and one 14k bulb might hit those peaks better than another.

What is your lighting setup - how much actinic do you have? You probably just need more to make the colors pop out or to move up from a 10k to a 12 or 14k on the halides. I'd op for adding more actinic.

 

[motopsycho]

I'm using using 20K XM's on Icecap ballast. Have hammers, frogspawn, xenia's and colt. Growth has been great. But I don't know what it would be if I switched to a 14K bulb.

 

[Rhodesholar]

Here is a great article on the matter by Eric Borneman. Basically his point is that corals are adaptive and will adapt to the light source along with water conditions so there are no steadfast rules.

http://www.marshreef.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=4

 

[jheath]

interesting.....I don't know enough about lighting to give an opinion

 

[salttess]

I used this to judge lights on when I was deciding. I hope he doesnt mind my posting his results. Its in my favorites. Great info... http://chrismorris.ca/250wcolour/ Shows all the different colors of different bulbs. Tina

 

[jefathome]

Re: Best Kelvin for MH? True or False

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9356647#post9356647 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TomToro

I have 10000k's and they seem too yellow even with the actinics. Not very good colors compared to the lfs. The lfs has pc's in their zoa tanks and when I bring them home, the colors aren't the same.

Thanks,
Tom

Not only that, but the color you see when you get home is not the color they will be in say 1 month.

I'm running an XM10k right now for growth (w/ 250w of mixed actinics and blue PC's and t5's), but I've noticed that the pinks, orange, and reds all turn a bit more brown after about a month or so.

My Orange with blue centers (forget name) are now more brown with another shade of brown in the middle. Once the coverage is where I want it, I'm going to go for a 14k or so with Actinics.

Gotta say though, that XM10k sure gives some PAR!!

 

[BrianCM]

i would go with 14

 

[scumonkey]

I use 2 250w XM 10 ks, with 2 9o-w super actinic....
my colours are intensifying and the light is ice white-NOT yellow.
Not to mention the fantastic growth from the high par!
My reds are red (not brown).