Reef Light Spectrum

[PRW1988]

I was wondering if anybody has a picture of the spectrum needed for a reef. I just bought a nice BRIGHT bulb yesterday from my LFS on sale for $5, it's a T6. I'm not sure if it's able to handle a reef, but I was hoping that it'd be enough for atleast a fox coral near the top of the tank. Mabye not though.

 

[ben1987]

what kelvin rating is the bulb? the sun is around 6700K which is quite yellow. Most reefs are kept under 10000k or 14000k

 

[BigC]

14k is a good balanced light.
http/www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aq...m_Lighting.html
BigC

 

[ben1987]

14k is a good balanced light.
[URL="http/www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aq...m_Lighting.html"]http/www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aq...m_Lighting.html[/URL]
BigC

agreed, i have a 10K one in my halide at the minute and it looks way too yellow for my taste without the blue T5's on

 

[Crazy fishes]

Yeah but Ben your coral growth will be higher and then you can change to a 20K to bring out all the colours. This apparently is the way some polish guy produced his SPS reef; my god it is absolutely stunning!!
With regards those bulbs have you looked on the side of the packaging normally they have a graphical representation of the light spectrum. As ben says 10-14K is normally used, but 6,700K would give maximal growth rates but the colours would be disappointing to say the least.

Hope this helps

Regards

 

[PRW1988]

I can't find any informaton on the box. It's called Aqua Flora Plus by Quantum Aquatics. 48" long 40 watt, it's a T6 slim bulb designed for higher intesity.

No information on the out put, I found a Lighting spectrum picture on it, but without something to compare it too it doen't do me much good.

 

[PRW1988]

Found a little bit more,

Aqua Flora Plus produces the perfect blend of red/orange, green and blue light emissions which combine to create the optimum light source for growing great aquatic plants while at the same time producing superior color in all your fish flora and aquatic decor.

Dunno if it's safe for corals or not. Would I be best just not to try?

 

[SkiFletch]

Well, full spectrum plant grow bulbs like that are not necessarily a problem for corals. They do however encourage nuisance algae and will likely appear "yellow" to the eye, which isn't the best IMO

Finding T6 lamps in a marine spectrum will be difficult, that size is not popular in the smaller marine hobby