halides

[amstar15]

I have 6500 k bulbs (2 175 watt bulbs) and two 40 watt blue actinics on my 75 gallon. would my corals like the jump to 10k instead? yes i would take the time and get them use to the new kelvin rating, but is it worth it to my corals? everything is growing well, I have been fragging things and they are doing well also.

 

[Navarre]

By switching to 10 K you are moving further away from natural sunlight. Your 6.5k is closer to sunlight than the 10k but of course to view the tank is very yellow in colour, (although you probably wont notice witheh actinics running). I have 10k lights over my tank and it gives a much whiter lights and is far more pleasing to the eye. The corals will adapt easily and you have no need too worry.

 

[smellyangryman]

Sorry to highjack, but what do you mean by 6,500K?!? what does the K stand for?

 

[fraservet]

SAM - I did mention this in my reply to your last question on lighting.

K or degrees (anyone know where the degrees symbol is?)K, stands for degrees kelvin and is a measure of the colour temperature of light.

Colour Temperature

 

[amstar15]

so 65k is good then? it does look yellow when just my halides are on. however I always have my actinics turn on 1 hour before and 1 hour after my halides come on/off. so really no reason to go to 10k bulbs? they are more expensive

 

[maestro]

Coloured to other bulbs 6500k gives out the most light that corals can use to photosynthesise (PAR) however most people dont use them as they can make the tank look yellow and dont bring out the colour in corals as much

 

[Navarre]

They dont cost any more to purchase (well they dont around here anyway). Its like purchasing a green car or a red car.. same price just personal preferance.

6.5k If far better for coral growth but as has been mentioned, you wont get good colour from them.