| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
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04-11-2006, 10:05 PM
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#1
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Shark
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Andover, KS
Posts: 3,494
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which kelvin rating?
Which kelvin rating do most halide users like the best? Right now I am using 14,000 K and I like it ok. But will I get better growth with 10,000K and supplement with actinics?
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Jenni AKA "Reefmama"
180 gallon AGA RR mixed reef inwall, 100 gallon rubbermaid stock tank sump, 10 gallon hex fuge, Quiet one 5000 return pump, PCI PS-3000 skimmer with Octopus needlewheel pump, 72" Constellation from Aquactinics, 2 Triton Aquatics GS2 maxijet mods, 2 250 watt heaters, 200 lbs live rock, 200 lbs pulverized limestone
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04-12-2006, 06:23 PM
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#2
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Shark
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Andover, KS
Posts: 3,494
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come on someone help me out....
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Jenni AKA "Reefmama"
180 gallon AGA RR mixed reef inwall, 100 gallon rubbermaid stock tank sump, 10 gallon hex fuge, Quiet one 5000 return pump, PCI PS-3000 skimmer with Octopus needlewheel pump, 72" Constellation from Aquactinics, 2 Triton Aquatics GS2 maxijet mods, 2 250 watt heaters, 200 lbs live rock, 200 lbs pulverized limestone
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04-12-2006, 06:36 PM
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#3
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BIG SMELLY MOD
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Livingston Parish, Denham Springs, Louisiana
Posts: 16,804
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Jenni, I like 10k's with actinics thats what I am running
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Vince aka VINNIE
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04-12-2006, 06:58 PM
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#4
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Shark
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NEW YORK
Posts: 2,071
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Man, that's a loaded question, and I'm pleased that I have learned a little to at least recognize the deepth of the question. I think the basic answer is no, a coral will grow at 6400k, probably along with algae because the spectrum of a lower K bulb (in the red/yellow zone) is what algae thrives on...but the coral will grow. There is intensity to think about, and from what I can understand the more intensity, the more color, and better growth. Actinics seem to bring out flourescence, although they don't cause the coral to flourescence. The actinics, it appears, allows the human eye to see the flourescence. As far as 10k or 14k the 10k is a more white light whereas the 14k has a bit of blue. Different bulbs produce different spectrums of light. And what is even more convoluted is that different bulbs on different ballasts produce different results. There is a gentleman named Sanjay Joshi who researches the spectrums and intensities of different bulbs to different ballast. He publishes his research without a conclusion for you to make your own choice. He has his own web site that you can check out....to go a little further, the type of reflector and the type of luminaire/pendant you use further changes the equation. Some reflectors give a pinpoint source of light whereas other reflectors give a wide source of light, and there are pendants that are used specifically for a point source of light, along with baffles that can be added to direct the light in a specific direction....I believe this all can be brought further by suggesting that different corals prefer different light intensities as well as may prefer different degrees of kelvin... |
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04-12-2006, 07:57 PM
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#5
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Shark
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Toledo OH
Posts: 4,889
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In SHORT! 
Yes you will get better growth out of a 10K and actinics supps vs just the 14K
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Nano reef in the works
TIM MADE ME DO IT, Yet Robert made him do it, yet Casey made him do it!
Yet the voices in all their heads made them do it (skeety)
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04-12-2006, 08:13 PM
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#6
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BIG SMELLY MOD
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Livingston Parish, Denham Springs, Louisiana
Posts: 16,804
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Well I agree with Viv that the 6400K's are very good for coral growth, But the overall look is very yellow and not appealing to view, as in the early days that is the lighting we used, and the actinics help in giving and gave more of a white look, But then I went to 10k without any actinics and had very good luck with them. I also now run actinics with my 10Ks, still look whiter then going to 14K or higher. I think You will find that most people are running 10K or higher with or without actinics.
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Vince aka VINNIE
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