What about 6500k lighting for SPS?

[scarter]

What's the deal with 6500k lighting and SPS? is 6500 ok to use with SPS? what is the color like, I have heard it is very yellow and closely imitates natural sunlight. Is this true? most of the reading I have done suggedst that 15000k is the best. Is this just for the blue look or is there an actual benefit to the corals. I ordered two 400w 6500k for my new 200 gallon because I already have a large ammmount of t5 lightinf to add for the acintics so I thought that it would balance out the color. Am I wrong for this decision? THese lights are not cheap and I feel like I may have made a poor decision.
Let me know what you think

S. Carter

 

[gregm5]

well i had a 6500K light over my frag tank before i took it down. its great for growth but it is a really ugly color. i think it would really take a lot of supplementation to balance 400 watters out. i would suggest using 10K's instead, its more of a white and provides more than enough usable light for your corals

 

[Cody Ray]

This is refering to your other thread but 400W 6500K bulbs are probably going to MELT your soft corals.

 

[jjmcat]

I think 6500k would be fine.Will this be the only lights you use?

 

[scarter]

jjmcat - I will also use four T-5 48" acintics

chin - If I create shelves from LR to shade my softies will the light still be to much? does shaded light loose light quality?

 

[bagedtaco]

scarter... i use 6.5k on my tank.. 2-250 and 1-400. i also have 4-54wt t5 d&d pure actinic bulbs too. the growth is great with the 6.5k's but the color is still yellow with all the actinics. coral coloration is good also.

i'm running this combo for growth. once the tank has grown out i'm gonna switch to a higher k. bulb.

 

[jjmcat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7305425#post7305425 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bagedtaco
scarter... i use 6.5k on my tank.. 2-250 and 1-400. i also have 4-54wt t5 d&d pure actinic bulbs too. the growth is great with the 6.5k's but the color is still yellow with all the actinics. coral coloration is good also.

i'm running this combo for growth. once the tank has grown out i'm gonna switch to a higher k. bulb.

Why switch?

 

[TwistedTiger]

Re: What about 6500k lighting for SPS?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7304909#post7304909 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scarter
Am I wrong for this decision? THese lights are not cheap and I feel like I may have made a poor decision.
Let me know what you think

WOW!!!!! Poor decision unless you want your corals to look like the corals in this link.....http://adriansreeftank.homestead.com/75pictures.html

"The tank is lit by dual 400 watt 6500K Iwasaki metal halides, and dual 110 watt URI actinic VHOs."

 

[Snausages01]

Most of the time the reason the lights look yellow is because the water is yellow. With a pair of 110 watt actinics you should be able to balance out a pair of 400 watt Iwasakis pretty good. I've got a pair of 400 watt Iwasakis with a pair of 110 watt actinics and I'd say my tank is pretty white, although when I don't keep up with things or get algae on the glass it can look yellow/green.

Soft corals are fine as well. LPS just don't do well for me.

 

[Cody Ray]

If you provide them (soft corals) a shaded area it should be alright.

 

[Tony Campos]

I thougt 65k was for FW planted tanks only?

 

[jjmcat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7306934#post7306934 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tony Campos
I thougt 65k was for FW planted tanks only? [/QUOTE

3000k to 20000k can be used in a reef,but in a hallide only.For some reason the t-12,t-5,and pcs are different.

 

[concept3]

I just switched completely to 6500K and 220W VHO's. I used to have a 10K one one side of my 75 gallon, and a 6500K on the other side. I did notice better growth on the 6500K side, but noticed slightly better coloration with the 10K. IMO the VHO's balance out the "yellow" of the tank when lit by themselves. I still think the colors still look good regardless.

When people come by, they don't notice the yellow until I mention I use 6500K's...

 

[ReeferMac]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7306613#post7306613 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Snausages01
Most of the time the reason the lights look yellow is because the water is yellow.

:thumbsup:

I used to run a pair of 250's over my reef in addition to a pair of 400W HQI Radiums, and absolutely loved it. My LFS has stopped carrying those bulbs, so I haven't been able to get them by my usual methods, but... If I could get 'em, I would go back to them.

- Mac

 

[bagedtaco]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7305527#post7305527 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jjmcat
Why switch?

just to get a little more POP in the color.

it does balance well with actinics. but in comparison with a 10k, it is still yellow.

that and the fact that i already have the 10k bulbs:rollface:

 

[marinelife]

I have a mix of 2 6500ks and 1 20000k all 400w and two 160 watt blue VHOs, I have nice color and good growth

 

[jjmcat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7308831#post7308831 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bagedtaco
just to get a little more POP in the color.

it does balance well with actinics. but in comparison with a 10k, it is still yellow.

that and the fact that i already have the 10k bulbs:rollface:

this is with 4000k hallides and 4 vhos

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7306613#post7306613 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Snausages01
Most of the time the reason the lights look yellow is because the water is yellow.

:eek2:

A lot of people dont realize that. I run 10Ks, always have. My tanks looked a little on the yellow side(as compared to people with 14Ks, 10ks with VHOS, etc.). When I started using ozone, suddenly my tank looks bluer than theirs. I'm seriously thinking of going to 6500Ks because of this.

 

[Snausages01]

With out actinics I'd definitely say that the 6.5Ks give the tank a funky color, but once actinics are added it evens out very nicely. As said before my tank at times does look yellow/green, but I know exactly where that is coming from and I know that the lights don't really have anything to do wit it; it's just that blue lights tend to hide yellow water better.

After seeing color improvement in my corals and growth improvement and just how bright my tank is, I think I'll be sticking with Iwasakis for a while.

Some softies under the 400 watt Iwasakis:

 

[Shawnts106]

I thougt 65k was for FW planted tanks only?

LOL, I hear that all too offten...


The fact of the Matter is yes, 65-67K bulbs mimic sunlight the best, therefore, because corals are... well, NOT indoor domestic animals, and being part plant in a way themselves, grow best under these conditions...

I personally prefer 10K's over 65K mainly because the 10K gives better color...

I will be useing XM 10K's for my 210gallon, and the MAIN reason why I chose this bulb was because It gives the best growth and color for that bulb Kelvin... plus its got great PAR...

I will be supplimenting these lights with 4 to 6 actinics... to pop out the color and to hide the yellowishness haha...


THE MAIN THING with coral coloration IMO is not what K bulb you use, but rather HOW CLEAN YOUR WATER IS...

Dirty water = dirty looking (brown) corals..
Clean water = Nice looking colorful corals...

Havent you heard of the effects on corals due to pollution, they either bleach or turn brown...

LOL,

" AND REMEMBER, KEEP IT CLEAN! "...
that should be everyones moto!