Question on New Lighting

[slingham]

I just purchased a 34g Solana, and the previous owner was using lights that he originally had on his 60g. So I now have a ballast for 2x250w, and two reflectors similar to the Sunlight Supply Reef Optix Plus Pendant Reflectors, one with a 250w MH 20000K Blue bulb, and the other is a Coralife 10000k MH250w/U/T15 Ultra.

Which reflector/bulb combo should I put above the tank?

 

[Minibus]

Do you know how old the bulbs are and what are you keeping SPS, LPS, softies?

The 20k bulb would be my preference since I do not like the 10k white light. That being said 20k is great for viewing and getting good colours, however 10k would allow for faster growth.

 

[slingham]

I'm not sure how old the bulbs are unfortunately.

Right now I just have live rock, I'm thinking I'll probably end up keeping LPS an softies. I probably will get into SPS later down the road.

I have the 10k running right now, I like the color, I'll try the other tomorrow. So the plus of running the 10k is that I'll get faster growth?

 

[mr86mister]

Yeah, you will get faster growth with 10k. The PAR level (measurement of intensity of light) is higher and closer to the brightness of the sun. They will grow faster with higher lighting. The 20k give amazing colors to the corals but have a lower PAR rating. It's always a give and take. Some people supplement the 10k lighting with Actinics from either PC, VHO, or t5's.

 

[sedor]

Phoenix 14K the best of both worlds. If you like a crisp blue color that is.