6.5k vs 10k vs 14k vs 20k

L

lillysdaddy21

So quick question, Im running a 30gallon xtra tall 24x12x24 and has 2 t5s h0 antic blue, and a 250 watt metal halide 10k, my question is which is healthier? I have a entire assortment of chalices, mushrooms richord and regular, Red Goniopora, lost of polyps and cloves, and a couple of hard corals and candy canes.

SO WHICH IS HEALTHER 6500k, 10k, 14k, 20k metal halide?
Which makes corals and stuff look best? I know led are top of the market for color enhancement, but I want to know for halide.... led later in life [smilie=punch.gif]
 
it all depends on what you want, typically though, your range is basically a growth vs color chart. lower kelvin will normally give you more growth but less color while higher kelvin will give you more color with less growth. i have a 6500k growth bulb on my frag tank but it is quite yellow and while it may help grow, it does nothing for the color of the corals. i have to put it in my main tank under my 14k's to get them to have any color.
 
IMO 10k gives me greath growth, but all my corals look brown. I personally use 150w MH DE 14k Bulbs on my tank and I love the blue that it emits, yet still gives me some good growth. I thought about purchasing a 20k, but read that it can discourage growth and decided against it because I did not have supplemental lighting.

I found a picture online of a 10K and 14k bulb installed side by side in a tank.
http://images49.fotki.com/v1510/photos/8/929468/8451563/photo-vi.jpg

Here is another link for more comparison.
http://cnidarianreef.com/G180/lamps.php
 
Thank you both very much help! I have a minor in botany from 10 years ago so im a little out of date expect for lighting hasnt changed much.... Man they really need a REP/ Cool points counter? everyone go to www.overclock.net and see when you leave a post if its helpfull peopel can rate it. It help define alot about a person.... They really need to incorporate somethign like this on here I would give you both mad rep!
 
Being you have a 30 gallon tank I would go with a 20k bulb. I would go with a radium 20k for SE for DE go ushio. Being that you have a small tank if you go with a lower Kelvin bulb you will kill your corals. Phoenix and aquamaxx are great bulbs also but might put out too much par for that tank. 250 watt mh and 2 t5 is overkill for your tank. I would watch the temp of your tank

Also ballasts will change the color of the bulb better ballasts seem to give a better crisp color.


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As has been stated, there are several variables to choosing a bulb. The ballast, bulb brand and type of bulb all make a difference. When I ran 250 watt halides on my tank I loved the 14k Phoenix bulbs. Tried a 150 watt 14k Phoenix bulb on my other tank and it looked totally different. The 150watt bulb was very blue. My favorite bulbs are AB brand but they are almost double the cost of Phoenix bulbs so I only used them once. I got great growth from them.
 
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