Kelvin confusion...

[orionsmamma]

I was reading a thread that spoke of not getting any growth with 20K bulbs. The thread can be found here, fwiw:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=789653&highlight=20K+halide+growth

Anyhow, is it true that 20K bulbs will not promote growth? I just switched from 10K's to 20K's, love the color but am concerned about the growth.

Thanks,
Donna

 

[dots]

You might want to repost on the SPS forum, those guys are into the lights and know the brands, type and K to use.....

 

[RicksReefs]

generally, the higher the K, the lower the PAR gets. so the slower the growth with higher K. that being said, I get great growth with 14K.

 

[dascharisma]

I think you should read the whole thread you linked.


Brad

 

[orionsmamma]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6936380#post6936380 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dascharisma
I think you should read the whole thread you linked.


Brad

Brad;

I did go through, and read the entire thread I linked. A good deal of those postings were posted after I started this thread. With that said; when I linked that post, I did say FWIW (for what its worth) because I knew the thread was not about the subject of kelvin ratings affecting growth. I only linked it to show what I was talking about, although it may not have been necassary.

Now; It could be because I have a horrible head cold, but I am missing your point in telling me to re-read the thread I linked; and would honestly like to know what it was.

Thank you,
Donna

 

[Fliger]

Also remember that what the BULB says usually means squat. I have run 14.5K Giesemann bulbs that looked whiter than some 10K bulbs. And on the flipside, the 14K Phoenix/Aquaconnect bulb is WAY bluer than the 14.5K Giesemann. Additionally, even when the Kelvin is correct, intensity of the bulb plays a huge role, and even the intensity/Kelvin of a specific bulb can change depending on what ballast you run.

Best bet is to either buy a bunch of bulbs and stick with the one you want, or read JBNY's and Sanjay's studies to find the right combo for ya.

 

[samsfishnchips]

orionsmamma,

first thing,

dascharisma's point I believe was:

the author of that thread has 20k and complaints about no growth, and you just got 20k and are concerned about growth based on his complain...

but if one read's the thread will find out that the bulbs don't cause the lack of growth, in that case it was

"no not really i dont test cause if things are dyin its is obviously wround and maby once in a while ill bring my water to work just fer a chack up nut no i ddont test calcium and alk"

a tank with improper parameters won't growth no matter what lighting you got,

let put out a picture to show an example of calcification of coraline, just like a coral does calcification to growth.

many complain that they can't growth coraline and blame the light, in this case JB NY's owner, dosed Kent Marine Super Strontium & Molybdenum and when from this

to this in two months

same lighting,

sam

 

[samsfishnchips]

Re: Kelvin confusion...

now that thats out of the way to your original ?

Anyhow, is it true that 20K bulbs will not promote growth? I just switched from 10K's to 20K's, love the color but am concerned about the growth.

no thats false, 20k will promote growth.

now another better question would be

how does 20k generally compares to said a 10k?

generally the lower the Kelvin rating the more "PAR" the bulb will have and thus generally will make corals growth faster, than said the same tank, same parameters ( correct), flow, ect, than with a 20k.

most people agree that the best setup is 10k with plenty of actinic, you get "best" growth and the actinic make the tank look nice ( close to or just like a 20k bulb).

stick with it for a few months (tank needs a few months alone to adapt to the new lighting and thats with any change) and see how things do, you might be surprise


here you can compare 250w SE bulb
http://www.cnidarianreef.com/

many comparisons
http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/
sam

 

[samsfishnchips]

here you can see some growth shoots,

20K bulbs and SPS??


sam

 

[orionsmamma]

Thanks guys. Someone responded to the thread I linked saying that you would get very little growth with 20K bulbs; and that is what prompted my question. I had not heard that before; and thought I would ask in this forum.

On my 48" long tank, I have dual 250's, which are both 20K. I am also running dual 55watt pc's with actinics. The light doesnt seem very bright, and I was thinking about adding a 250 10K to the mix to brighten it up. I just switched everything from my little 30 gallon to this 80 gallon tank; so I will have to wait a few months and see how it does.

Anyhow, thank you for answering my original question

Donna

 

[samsfishnchips]

orionsmamma,

I can agree with less growth than 10k, but not "very little growth"

did you see the pics on my last link?

ex.

20k not in a small 80g tank, but in a 240g

ex.boobookitty's pics

December "willi" milli:

April "willi" milli:

4 months only, I consider that good growth

again good luck with your choice, hellolights (makers) do give 1 month to try it out, else they take it back, thats what I call customer service,

your welcome

sam

 

[orionsmamma]

That is some pretty nice growth! I think Im gonna add the 10K bulb and see how it looks...I hate having this extra ballast and not using it lol. I love the color of the 20K's, but the light intensity does not seem like it is right.

Some members of my reef club were saying that 3 250 watt bulbs over a 48" long tank was way overkill; so its something I have been toying around with.

Now, I had decent growth under 210 watts of PC's in my 30 gallon; so I would think it would be better under any kind of halide that has a decent spectrum for corals.

And thanks for the links Sam; I took a quick peek at them, and will spend more time checking them out a bit later.

Donna