what kelvin rating is best to promote growth?

[darkmuncan]

Im setting up a morph frag tank and need to buy a new 150w bulb for the MH.

Does anyone know if the kelvin rating (6400k, 14000, 20000k) of the bulb actually affects the growth rate?

Im not too fussed if it appears yellow or blue, just after what is best for my morphs

Thanks

Mark

 

[chrisstie]

If you're going for growth the lower K rating is closer to natural sunlight (6500, some use 10k) i hope that helps

 

[darkmuncan]

Thanks chrisstie.

I was thinking 10k as it seems to be the 'average' of what people use.

Mark

 

[geoxman]

that is a very very tough question to answer since we know nothing about you equipment?? I have a 400w M59 and if I went with a coralvue 10k as to what I am using now, XM 20k, I would not see much of anything-compared to what I see in growth now. I would match your ballast with what bulb you want to use. I prefer 20k for color. It will be a PITA for you since your bulbs/ballast might have different names but most come from the same place any way, just dig for info. good luck!

http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/

 

[TeeLapia]

You must also keep in mind, after 4 hours or so the effectiveness of the actual lamp decreases. But if you want to morph, 20k would be best to morph your products, I would consider maybe 4 - 6 hr photoperiod also.

 

[JohnstonAtoll]

I used to have 10k hqi lamps on my set-up and all my soft corals grew so fast it was hard to control. I've had 20K bulbs in for roughly 6 months now and everything grows super slow now.

 

[TeeLapia]

10k for growth and 20k for color, you have to give and take. So if you want the best of both worlds get AB MH at about 14k gives out an output of about 17k so you get a little bit of both.

 

[geoxman]

I would match your ballast up with the highest K and par rating on the link that I provided. Some 10, 12,14 and 20k could have cr&p par on your ballast, so no matter what bulb you ran you could get poor growth and color. I look for highest par per highest K per ballast. I just wish there was more info on 1000w because that is what I am leaning towards. good luck!