Best Kelvin in MH

[realm4227]

Having to move my tank for remodel, might downsize not sure yet, but with this tank (125) had bad luck on this set up, 3 VHO's(110w) 2 Atinic and 1 either 50/50 or 10k and 2 175's(MH) went from 10 to 12 to 14k, Had the same tank set up years ago with great success running 4 old school 100 watters(MH) i think probably 6500k, and 2 atinics 48" NO, and 2 10K NO 48", Call me crazy but im thinking about up the wattage on the MH lower the K and sticking maybe to T5's NO, might downgrade to my old 75 gallon

[Geoff]

right now over my 6' 125. i have 2 160w VHO White actinic bulbs, 2 250w 20 coralive bulbs, and 1 175w 20k coralife bulbs. i think that it is a bit to blue for my tastes, so i may go with a lower K bulb if i can find one with about the same amount of PAR.

G~

[realm4227]

Im thinking of maybe 250 or 400W MH's 6500K, then adding some T5's for the atinics

[Geoff]

only do that if you have a sand bed. if not then you will be bleaching the corals. i am running BB so i need much less light to keep my SPS and clams happy. i used to run 400w Iwasaki's when i had a DSB in the same tank.

G~

[charlesr1958]

Not being one for the unnaturaly looking blue that 20k bulbs put out, and being that the "average" amount of kelvin at depth that the majority of corals found is right around 10K, I would stick with 10k to 14k. It is though, a matter of personal preference.

Chuck

[Twitterbait]

honestly, it depends on the bulb manufacturer as to the actual color of the bulb... i am a MH purist and as such i prefer a 15-20k range... just to bring the color out.

[fish.freak]

I like 14k or higher

[realm4227]

I want more growth thats why I was thinking 6500K,I read 6500K increases growth faster than the higher Kelvin colors( article also said 10000K was good), think I can get my color out of T5 atinics, maybe a T5 10000K or 50/50 added in the mix

[Casey]

14k to 20k for me also I like the blue brings the colors to POP

[realm4227]

Sorry should have worded that better MH's 6500K with T5's for added color

[Geoff]

Iwasakis are generally the growth kings because of their high PAR production. the XM 10K's can be better depending on ballast. higher PAR generally means better growth. as long as phosphates are kept under control very little PAR is needed for coral growth.

G~