Bulbs Bulbs Bulbs?

[meso81]

6700K, 12000K, 50/50, or Blue Actinic Whats the difference??

and what are the best for REEF Aquariums



Thanks!!!

 

[dixaisy930]

I can help out a little, but hopefully one of the more experienced reefers will jump on.

I believe the Blue Actinic helps the corals grow and stay healthy, and it gives your tank a definate blue tint. The 50/50 is half Blue and half another type of light (not sure which). This gives you the benefit of the Blue, while giving the tank a little more natural color light. The rest I'm not sure about.

I think the main difference is in the types of lights you have, i.e. metal halides, compact floruscent, regular floruscent, T5, etc.

 

[meso81]

I can help out a little, but hopefully one of the more experienced reefers will jump on.

I believe the Blue Actinic helps the corals grow and stay healthy, and it gives your tank a definate blue tint. The 50/50 is half Blue and half another type of light (not sure which). This gives you the benefit of the Blue, while giving the tank a little more natural color light. The rest I'm not sure about.

I think the main difference is in the types of lights you have, i.e. metal halides, compact floruscent, regular floruscent, T5, etc.

\

Thanks dix..any other suggestions from any others?

 

[ostrow]

I can help out a little, but hopefully one of the more experienced reefers will jump on.

I believe the Blue Actinic helps the corals grow and stay healthy, and it gives your tank a definate blue tint. The 50/50 is half Blue and half another type of light (not sure which). This gives you the benefit of the Blue, while giving the tank a little more natural color light. The rest I'm not sure about.

I think the main difference is in the types of lights you have, i.e. metal halides, compact floruscent, regular floruscent, T5, etc.

\

Thanks dix..any other suggestions from any others?

You can't do any better than this:
http/www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/

 

[Mr Miagi]

The 5600, 6500, 10,000, 14,000, and 20,000 all represent the colour temperature of a bulb. Personal taste will be a major factor in which you prefer. The higher K rating you go, the bluer (or purpler) it gets, the lower the whiter (could also be yellow). For macro-algae, a K rating closer to 5000K is beneficial, and because most are found in refugia the colour (or aesthetics) doesn't really matter, you wont see it very often. In a reef situation, I dont think theres been much evidence to suggest Actinic bulbs contribute anything to coral growth, but im more than happy to read about it in a journal/research if anyone else cares to share. Actinics do encourage the flouresence of corals, and it does alter the colour we perceive.

If im wrong, feel free to let me know.

 

[l337dave]

The 5600, 6500, 10,000, 14,000, and 20,000 all represent the colour temperature of a bulb. Personal taste will be a major factor in which you prefer. The higher K rating you go, the bluer (or purpler) it gets, the lower the whiter (could also be yellow). For macro-algae, a K rating closer to 5000K is beneficial, and because most are found in refugia the colour (or aesthetics) doesn't really matter, you wont see it very often. In a reef situation, I dont think theres been much evidence to suggest Actinic bulbs contribute anything to coral growth, but im more than happy to read about it in a journal/research if anyone else cares to share. Actinics do encourage the flouresence of corals, and it does alter the colour we perceive.

If im wrong, feel free to let me know.

choose a bulb between 6500k and 20000k.

in _very_ general terms for an average tank - lower numbers mean coral grows better higher numbers mean coral looks better.


dave.