Why are 90% of TOTM using 10k's with Actinics

[DMK]

it depends on your taste AND your ballast. i started my tank w/ AB 10K HQI on a PFO dual HQI ballast, which burns MH harder, producing a more white/yellow look. those AB's w/ the actinics off looked yellow. then i switched to a megachrome 14.5K. look is almost perfect WITH actinics but still not blue enough for a 14K. next week i'm ordering the phoenix 14K. supposed to be a more blue 14K. if that still isn't quite blue enough, i may have to switch to a 20K in future. TOTM's are all different combos. again, it depends on ballast, but a 10K normally w/ actinics produces a satisfying look while giving good growth.

 

[Greg Hiller]

>the drawback with 10K with actinic is power consumption. Meaning bigger light bill.<

If you look at Sanjay's data, you will find that the 10K bulbs are 'in general' much more efficient than the 20 K bulbs on a PAR/watt basis, they also tend to last longer. So, you can either use extra or higher watt 20 K bulbs, or you can use 10K bulbs and make the color tolerable by adding a bit of actinic lighting....or mix 10K and 20K bulbs. The 10K provide the 'punch' and the 20K make it look nice.

Also, don't forget that the flouresent bulbs tend to bring out flourescence in the corals, and that can make a big difference in the look of the tank.

 

[SunnyX]

Lets not miss out on the big picture here.
You could have the greatest lighting in the world and it wouldn't do a thing if your parameters are out of wack.

Lets focus on the bigger picture here guys.

 

[david8956]

I really like the look of JBNY's tank, and since he uses 10K XM's, VHO actinic, and IceCap ballasts, I tried the same combo. My tank colors looked nothing like his. Tank was just too bright to my eyes and colors were washed out. Went to 14K Aquaconnects with 2 VHO actinics and couldn't be happier.

 

[onthefly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6525536#post6525536 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lesniewv
.

5x 14k's w or w/out actinics
15x 10k's with actinics
3x VHO or PC
6x 20k's
3x 10k's with 20k or 14k combination

You left off on TOTM that was solely T5.

 

[jackson6745]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6529859#post6529859 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by david8956
I really like the look of JBNY's tank, and since he uses 10K XM's, VHO actinic, and IceCap ballasts, I tried the same combo. My tank colors looked nothing like his. Tank was just too bright to my eyes and colors were washed out. Went to 14K Aquaconnects with 2 VHO actinics and couldn't be happier.

JBNY uses 3 VHO's + the 10k XM on a 180G. In your description I see you have a 72gal. The look is totally different on a larger tank.

 

[shelburn61]

I think the 10k/actinic combo is an established method that pleases our eyes, and many of the old guys in the hobby aren't anxious to change from what works. You get the most PAR per watt from 10K, but I have noticed many of the online exotic SPS suppliers are using high wattage 20K bulbs. Many will tell you wild corals retain color better and captive corals color up better under 20k. There is definitely something to be said for very intense radiation in the blue part of the spectrum, but water quality is still the key.

I still use 10k/actinic though

 

[JB NY]

10K + actinic just looks the best IMO. I just think that a lot of other people feel the same.

 

[MIKE NY]

yup, even with PC 03s......

 

[david8956]

JBNY uses 3 VHO's + the 10k XM on a 180G. In your description I see you have a 72gal. The look is totally different on a larger tank.

I agree, totally different look. Just not sure why. We both had 1 250 watt MH per 2' of tank length, but I did have 1 less VHO actinic (again though, tank in 2' shorter) My tank was so bright it really wasn't attractive. Looked much better with 1 layer of screen between the bulbs & the surface to cut down some of the brightness.

 

[Old Yeller Tang]

I've been using radiums for the last 6mos and will be going back to 10k's w/actinics this weekend. It looks the best for me as well.

 

[gjuarez3]

10k bulbs provide the par values for faster growth

VHO provides the 420nm that helps the coral's zooxanthellae for pigmentation

Great Growth and Beautiful Colors = TOTM