Best lights for growth

[Linkfalcon]

What do u think the best light are for growth

 

[dviper150]

Honestly, I don't think there is a "single" best light for growth. Everyone has their own success with leds, t5, and metal halide. Light isn't the only contributor to Coral growth.

 

[moatdaddy]

for sps i would say halides from before and after pictures but of course lots of factors besides lighting that will limit growth.

 

[zrogst]

I had only ever looked at LEDs for a display tank. You know the saying "Metal halides are for growing corals, LEDs are for selling corals."

Well, now that I'm looking at a small prop tank, what 250w metal halide lamp would you buy for a 50gal Rubbermaid stock tank? 52x31x12? Would one work or would you need a second/moving rack?

Just curious, thought I'd jump in this thread instead of a new one

 

[glennr1978]

Radium 20k. Great bulb for color and growth. You'll either need 2 of them or a light rail.

 

[oceanarium]

Different corals even within genus react to certain peaks in spectrum and grow in varying rates according to the light supplied, there is no one light to make all corals grow at their best.

In a general mix of species the safest bet is a light to supply a broad spectrum and low UV output to give the most consistent growth across coral types. Too much UV can hinder growth though a little is beneficial to growth.

I have some birdnest corals growing crazy fast under a green 510nm dominated light. it looks ugly and not many other corals like the light but the BN loves it.

 

[Cac986]

For our 300g propagation system we use 400 w 20kbulb radion. Great growth and good color all in one package. Some will use 6500 k bulbs for growth secondary to the high PAR and move them over to a 20 k bulb to color them up. Try using a light rail if possible.

 

[organism]

Depends on what kinds of corals you want to grow, but without question T5's would be better than halides. They have a stronger light output and more importantly have uniform light coverage in every section of the prop tank which you'll never get from halides. Also lower power usage and heat, along with better bulb configurations. I was getting about 1/8" every other day on most SPS with 6 ATI blue plus, 1 ATI blue (14k), and one ATI pure actinic, have yet to ever see a halide-based prop system that can outperform T5's.

 

[Joleyar87]

t5s and halides have been my combo of choice... havent had much experience with LEDS as of yet

 

[Linkfalcon]

Cool cool thanks was told to stay in the 12000 k range for growth

 

[vincepits]

10k XM

 

[organism]

Cool cool thanks was told to stay in the 12000 k range for growth

Plenty of studies have debunked the higher kelvin = higher growth myth for non-SPS corals. If you try to grow Acans, other LPS or Zoanthids under those lights they'll likely grow slower and it will also take you a month or two of coloring them up under decent lighting before you can sell them. The bulb combo I listed for T5's is very blue, and grew corals (including SPS) like crazy. For SPS I had another aquablue instead of a blue plus, but that was about as white as the lighting in my system got.

 

[channingd]

Depends on what kinds of corals you want to grow, but without question T5's would be better than halides. They have a stronger light output and more importantly have uniform light coverage in every section of the prop tank which you'll never get from halides. Also lower power usage and heat, along with better bulb configurations. I was getting about 1/8" every other day on most SPS with 6 ATI blue plus, 1 ATI blue (14k), and one ATI pure actinic, have yet to ever see a halide-based prop system that can outperform T5's.

I'm going to try this combo on my 48" fixture. Thanks

 

[organism]

I'm going to try this combo on my 48" fixture. Thanks

You may wanna try replacing one of the blue plus with another aquablue, had great results on that one too with a little faster growth. Personally I liked having them be super colored up while growing, but frequently swapped out the blue plus and aquablue depending on what was in there

 

[Linkfalcon]

Cool thanks

 

[channingd]

I ordered some new bulbs from my LFS so as soon as they come in I'll let you know. Thanks

 

[mykol reef]

halides is a best option.

 

[floridascape]

The sun...

 

[Rogue sub]

+1 sun

 

[ptreef]

10k XM

+1 or Iwasaki 6500....

Not the best bulbs for color, but definitely growth!