HQI Bulb question

[jmack]

I was wondering if corals would react differently to a 10K HQI vs. a 14K HQI....I currently have 10k and like the look of the 14K bulb...is it less intense for corals (ie, would corals that don't like as much light like the 14k better than the 10K)?

 

[Rhodesholar]

First off what are you keeping?

I had this conversation with a friend of mine who works at the LFS. I am 10k guy, he is a 14. He said you will get better coloration from a 14k, at possibly the expense of growth. I read an article by Eric Borneman and he said 10k. Everything I have read says that 10k has the broadest spectrum of light that corals would see in the wild. Am I right? It's any ones guess. Then you have the whole PAR vs Color thing. As a rule the higher K bulbs have less PPFD, which should be less intense. If your keeping Acros, I thought it was all about intensity so what's the deal with everyone going to 14k and higher bulbs? I have no clue. They say the coloration. I read two articles one by Borneman who said diet is more important to coloration then light. The other said the higher K bulbs really offer nothing

You may want to look into that Iwasaki bulb that one guy has been raving about if you are running 175watt. I looked at the graphs and it looks like it has it all together and is a very good lamp.

I posted some articles you may find interesting from which you can draw your own conclusions.

http://www.reefcorner.com/Manual/sps_coloration.htm

http://www.reefs.org/library/aquarium_net/0597/0597_2.html

http://www.venturelighting.com/TechCenter/Lamps/color_of_light.htm

 

[T Man]

IMHO it's the reefers personal choice, I have used 10K and 20k, and have seen no changes in my corals and clams. TinMan

 

[Rhodesholar]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9672384#post9672384 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LU359TINMAN
Kelvin (K) is a color temperature that has no effect on the wattage (intensity). IMHO it's the reefers personal choice. TinMan

If I misunderstand you I apologize and ignore my diatribe that follows.

Higher K most certainly has an effect on PPFD (PAR) A 6500k bulb will smoke a 14k bulb of the same type and wattage for PPFD (PAR). The 14k will be lucky to be half the PPFD as the 6500 however, some bulbs do have better PPFD at higher K and are better contenders.

As I mentioned that Iwasaki 175 14k looks pretty good.

If you don't believe me check out Sanjay Joshis spectrum and bulb analysis. I was suprised and that is where I am drawing my conclusions from.

 

[T Man]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9672456#post9672456 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rhodesholar
If I misunderstand you I apologize and ignore my diatribe that follows

Done........T

 

[jmack]

For aesthetics I like the look of the 14K...it's not too blue and not blinding white either...I currently switched from PC to MH 250watt 10K and even my LTA and acros are freaking out...It seems way too bright to look at also.

 

[Rhodesholar]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9675432#post9675432 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmack
For aesthetics I like the look of the 14K...it's not too blue and not blinding white either...I currently switched from PC to MH 250watt 10K and even my LTA and acros are freaking out...It seems way too bright to look at also.

OMG. Are you doing acclimation? Going from PC to MH without light acclimating can kill your corals. I recommend the screen method.

 

[jmack]

No I used screen but it didn't seem to help that much They are slowly adjusting but it seems like some of them just don't like the change.

 

[Rhodesholar]

Jmack,

Cool. I didn't see you mention acclimation and I was thinking holy wha!

I acclimated for about month when I went from PC to 300watt MH.