Do 20k MH make corals brighten up?

clownfool · #1 07/02/2007, 10:36 PM

I have a 14k bulb and 20k

Which should I use for better color?

szwab · #2 07/03/2007, 01:09 AM

it's really a matter of preference the 20k's will give off a bluer tint and make the coral's colors pop a bit more IMO
but there is a trade off in slower growth in some cases.

Gundo5000 · #3 07/03/2007, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by szwab
it's really a matter of preference the 20k's will give off a bluer tint and make the coral's colors pop a bit more IMO
but there is a trade off in slower growth in some cases.

yup.

Bloke · #4 07/03/2007, 01:49 AM

ALEX - you get around! Does your girl know this?? LOL

Yeah, if you're trying to get a bluer color, go with some actinic supplementation. I believe 10k will give you the best growth, but I also think there is a htread discussing this very thing on here somewhere if you search.

undertai · #5 07/03/2007, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by szwab
it's really a matter of preference the 20k's will give off a bluer tint and make the coral's colors pop a bit more IMO
but there is a trade off in slower growth in some cases.

I agree 20k good color but slow growth. I use 14k 175's on my tank. See link below

Here are the corals in my tank under these lights

KevinFJB · #6 07/03/2007, 03:19 PM

Depends on what you like - my preference is 20K with actinic which makes the corals look bright and colourful to my eyes without making the tank look blue. Colour is very subjective and your corals need the right genetic make-up to have good colour potential and the 20K with actinic shows that off best IMO. Also, I wouldn't get too hung up on the 20K = slow growth view, I have lots of colonies from frags. Some corals grow fast and some slowly.

reefkoi · #7 07/03/2007, 06:35 PM

Kevin, that picture in your avatar is incredible is it your tank? can you post a Full Tank Shot?

trueblackpercula · #8 07/03/2007, 06:40 PM

20k better color 10k faster growth less Pop on color
Michael
JMO

KevinFJB · #9 07/03/2007, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by reefkoi
Kevin, that picture in your avatar is incredible is it your tank? can you post a Full Tank Shot?

It is...I'll put some pics in the gallery, don't want to stomp on clownfool's thread

reefkoi · #10 07/03/2007, 07:59 PM

great thanks!

Crazy4salth2o · #11 07/03/2007, 09:43 PM

This is the color I get under 10K's. My experience with 20K's and 14K's has been the bulbs are not as intense. I found I would have to upgrade the wattage to equal the PAR. You still have some spectrum deficiencies. But it is a matter of visual preference at the end of the day...

drives300 · #12 07/03/2007, 10:22 PM

I think 10k actually will color up corals better but they appear more colorful under 15-20 k

dvanacker · #13 07/03/2007, 10:50 PM

Most of the great tanks I've seen use 20k.....usually 400 watt though. That way you get intensity and awsome color.!

KevinFJB · #14 07/04/2007, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dvanacker
Most of the great tanks I've seen use 20k.....usually 400 watt though. That way you get intensity and awsome color.!

I'm with you Darryl - I chose the 20K (with actinic) based on seeing SPS tanks, in person, that appealed to me.

firefish128 · #15 07/04/2007, 09:02 AM

I like the way the 20k make the corals look, but growth was too slow, i switched to 10k reeflux and VHO actinics, my corals have never looked better, and growth is amazing.