Changing Bulbs for Growout vs. Color

[chazman113]

I've read some forums saying that they use 6500k bulbs to grow out the zoas then switch to acinitic bulbs for color when they are ready to be sold/traded/whatever. Does anyone use this method with success? The reason I'm interested is because I have some 6500k bulbs lying around from a freshwater thank

 

[RedEyeElf]

i wondered this too, and had the resources to fiddle, I have a 50/50 bulb and a 6700k daylight bulb running and seem to have faster zoa growth in my old colony, but i have had cyto come back with a vengence, don't know if they are truely related at this time...

 

[organism]

I get the best growth and color out of 400w XM 15k's pushed down real close on a shallow tank, I think the lower k spectrum tends to brown them out and stress them to the point where they'll actually grow more slowly. I initially used 400w 10k's, and the zoos were brown and slow growing...

 

[RedEyeElf]

I have noticed fast growth changing my 10000k to a 6700k and my antinic to a 50/50 bulb, seem to be filling out more. Could just be in my head though

 

[RedEyeElf]

Yeah, they deffinatly are'nt that colorful, but getting larger for sure

 

[geoxman]

I agree with organism, but I would opt for a 400w 20k xm as long as your zoos are use to that par. A 400w XM 20k on my M59 has really nice par. I would not jump from a PC to 400w MH XM 20K though. good luck

 

[AVALover5498]

I just bought a 175 Watt Retro kit for my 29. I'm going to be adding some actinics, either pc's or t-5's. My tank is going to be nothing but zoanthids and palys. Will this bulb make my corals brown? should I switch to 20k's. I'm not really into the bluer bulbs but i want the best colors. What do you all recommend?


Best regards,
-Chris Seibold-

 

[geoxman]

what bulb are you looking at?? How deep is the tank and do you dance around the tank in a tribal dance ritual at night?? It sometimes makes a difference. Good luck and happy reefing

 

[AVALover5498]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8974878#post8974878 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by geoxman
what bulb are you looking at?? How deep is the tank and do you dance around the tank in a tribal dance ritual at night?? It sometimes makes a difference. Good luck and happy reefing

1.) I have no clue what 20k/14k bulb to get if I do change. So any help there would be amazing.

2.) The tank is a 29 so i think it's 18 inches deep.

3.) I do this sometimes. Would It help if i was naked?



-Chris-

 

[geoxman]

This is a family forum but I dance naked and I have had great results-only late at night though. I would shoot for a 250 or 400 JMHO. Check out Sanjays website for par value on bulbs and ballasts.

Just dont let any one get a pic of you dancing. good luck and happy reefing!