What spectrum do you use?

[Readybreakletgo]

Just wondering what spectrum of lighting that any of you guys use for your nems? I have a 150w MH on a 20L so a relativly shallow tank.

 

[reefnetworth]

14K is all i use. one tank is softies and LPS, the sump has 03 Actinics.
my SPS is set-up the same way, 14K!

 

[reefman13]

I would have to say that for anemones 10K is the best, BUT corals do need supplemental actinics to thrive as they need it to perform photosynthesis within their zooanthella (sp?) so if you plan on going reef, if the light system has supplemental actinic florecents go with a 10K bulb, but if no florecent tubes go 14K.

 

[ILLiDaN]

14k

 

[Toddrtrex]

Over my 58 ( with a blue Haddoni ) I am using 2*175 SE, one 14K and one 20K. Over my 75 ( with a tan Haddoni ) 2*250 DE both are 14K. Over my 29 ( with two LTAs ) a 250 DE, 14K

 

[littletruong]

i have 2 175w 20k metal halides with 2 actinics. Is that a good setup for corals and anemones? Or should i get something different for the halides?

 

[Tofumushrooman]

20K 250w DE Ushio. supplemented with actinics but it burns much closer to a 14 or 13k bulb and my carpet is very happy.

 

[Peter Eichler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12381501#post12381501 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefman13
I would have to say that for anemones 10K is the best, BUT corals do need supplemental actinics to thrive as they need it to perform photosynthesis within their zooanthella (sp?) so if you plan on going reef, if the light system has supplemental actinic florecents go with a 10K bulb, but if no florecent tubes go 14K.

Corals do not need actinics to thrive nor produce zooxanthellae. Actinics are good at causing proteins to fluoresce and making corals look nice, they do have a function but when combining them with MH bulbs and other high output lighting it's more for our eyes than our coral's well being.

As for the original question, I use the Geismann Megachrome 13k over my anemone tank. It's quite white and many people would probably like a bluer bulb if not using supplemental lighting, but I've been doing this since 5500k bulbs were the hot ticket. :lol: For anyone considering this bulb it's not nearly as blue in appearance as any of the 14k bulbs on the market.