Well, It Looks Like Dinoflagelettes!

[SkiFletch]

Yeah, 14k will have less red and mostly blue while the 10k has some more red in it. Most nuisance algaes more easily use red light to photosynthesize while your desireable organisms (corals, coraline, etc) tend to use blue light. Thus by removing the red, you can shift the balance of competition for nutrients to the animals you want to grow as opposed to the nuisance algae you dont. Still doesn't fix the nutrient problem, but might be good for you.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Yeah, 14k will have less red and mostly blue while the 10k has some more red in it. Most nuisance algaes more easily use red light to photosynthesize while your desireable organisms (corals, coraline, etc) tend to use blue light. Thus by removing the red, you can shift the balance of competition for nutrients to the animals you want to grow as opposed to the nuisance algae you dont. Still doesn't fix the nutrient problem, but might be good for you.

Ok. I had just looked around a little. It seems as if I can get it all the way up to 50K also. What does this represent? Does it have to do something with the color spectrum? The higher you go the more blue/violet and the lower the more red/yellow?

That being said, would I benefit from a 50K instead?

I have noticed that the lfs has their reef tanks a very blue in color and they are using mtal halides. Could these be 50K?

Thanks

 

[kj23502]

I wouldn't go any higher than 20, honestly. From all I've read, they've never mentioned going higher than 20kelvin. I hate to think what it might do, especially since the corals are not used to it. Hopefully Ski will be along and he say for sure

 

[SkiFletch]

Agreed, don't go higher than 20K. The Kelvin rating does refer to the color of the bulb althouth they're never really that accurate, its more of a general measure. For example, Iwasaki makes a 15000K bulb (175watt) that is more yellow than a Hamilton 14000K which looks much more blue... More of a guideline not a complete science. That said, most 20000k bulbs are REALLY blue. Like, you'll put them on and IMMEDIATELY notice the difference. You may not even like it. Having said that, I'd stick with the ~12000k to ~14000K range. i don't know if they sell them in double ended 150watt halide, but if they do, do NOT buy XM 150000k bulbs. Their phosphors stink and they don't perform well. somethin like a hamilton, coralvue, coralife, reeflux, these are all good in that range.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Agreed, don't go higher than 20K. The Kelvin rating does refer to the color of the bulb althouth they're never really that accurate, its more of a general measure. For example, Iwasaki makes a 15000K bulb (175watt) that is more yellow than a Hamilton 14000K which looks much more blue... More of a guideline not a complete science. That said, most 20000k bulbs are REALLY blue. Like, you'll put them on and IMMEDIATELY notice the difference. You may not even like it. Having said that, I'd stick with the ~12000k to ~14000K range. i don't know if they sell them in double ended 150watt halide, but if they do, do NOT buy XM 150000k bulbs. Their phosphors stink and they don't perform well. somethin like a hamilton, coralvue, coralife, reeflux, these are all good in that range.

Ok. Thanks for the tip.