For SPS Growth and Coloration

[ccradr]

Just thinking about wattage, intensity etc. I currenty have reeflux 10ks that are 250 watt se running on a 265. Growth is what I seek, but I am a blue spectrum guy. Would going up to 400 watt 20k give the same growth as a 250 waat 10k..but with the added color?
Thoughts???

[hdesai123]

From what I know you can get good growth only from 10K or at the most 14k for both growth and coloration. 20k sure gives you blue look which you like but growth is minimal with that. Again this is from what I know from reading elsewhere.

[ReefJunkieOK]

I once saw a presentation by Steve Tyree and he claimed that he got the best growth with 20k lamps.

[kajung2k]

From what I understand is the blue spectrum penetrates deeper into the water and can give a higher par vs. a yellow color which is higher par, but once it hits water it is drastically reduced... but.. i'm sure I could be wrong.

[scrapz]

Looking at melevs par readings, 400w 20k produce just a little short(-/50-100) of 250w 10ks.

I have seen nothing but growth/color improvement since making the switch over to 400w a month ago. I am now a firm believer in par, would never use 10ks though. I love the blue colors 20k provide, electricity cost has jumped up about $20 a month though, but totally worth it to me.

[moo0o]

i am also a firm believe in PAR which is why if i ever do switch to metal halides, i am going 400w radiums.

[Toddrtrex]

This is on a smaller scale, but I think it is relevant.

On my 58 I WAS running 2*175 with the Iwasaki 14/15K bulb, had decent growth, but the bulbs weren't blue enough for me, and thought the color of the corals could be better. So, I bought a new ballast ( Galaxy ) and started using 2*250 XM 20K bulbs. That was about 4 months ago, since then the growth of my corals has taken off, and the colors are a lot better ( at least to my eyes ). Plus the over all color that the bulbs provide for the tank is better ( again to my eyes ). Nothing else with the tank changed during this time.

[ccradr]

So better color, but the same or less growth?

[Toddrtrex]

I would say more growth

[jd474]

your 20k bulbs will lose their par values MUCH faster than the 10ks. compared to 6500 k (which i know really no one here likes), a 2 year old bulb will have a higher PAR value than probably a 4 month old 20k bulb. so that is also something to keep in mind. it depends on what you're looking for. i've had awesome coloration and growth from 1000 W 6500 k sun master bulbs, but see a considerable drop off in growth going to 400 W 14 or 20k (this may sound obvious). i know most people here favor heavy blue lighting, so you may want to start with a 14 or 15 k and go from there. do you have any supplemental lighting?

[jackson6745]

IME the 250w reeflux are not as blue as the 400w. If it's blue that you want, and growth..........I would go with 400w reeflux 12k on CV electronic ballasts.

[ccradr]

Anyone else?

[Rogger Castells]

I run 400w Radiums 20k on a pfo hqi ballast, prior to that I ran 250w 14.5k geissman's, I get a lot more growth now and I am loving the color in my tank.
I choose this combination because of the high par it gives, in fact it was the highest for the wattage and bulb temperature, however, this is not the case with all 400w bulbs and ballast, my recommendations is that you check this infor before you make your decision.

[MACH5]

I have to say that I'm very happy with my 2 250w SE reeflux 10ks. But I do supplement with 4 vho actinics. The combo is very pleasing, not too blue and not too yellow and these bulbs tend to pop off blues and purples very nicely.

[jd474]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13581930#post13581930 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MACH5
I have to say that I'm very happy with my 2 250w SE reeflux 10ks. But I do supplement with 4 vho actinics. The combo is very pleasing, not too blue and not too yellow and these bulbs tend to pop off blues and purples very nicely.

I am trying to decide between these 10k and 12k. have you tried the 12k bulbs before and if so what did you think? I too am using VHO actinics for supplemental lighting. I personally don't like such a heavy blue tinted tank.

[Racenrich]

IMO.....RF 12K's are very blue in color...with my actinics on; the tank looked like it had actinics only yet there was a ripple effect.
WAY TOO Blue for me....

I'm a huge fan of XM-10K-250's and VHO actinics.
My 120g under these lights.....Pic taken last week.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/xcmtbkr/tank_shot.jpg

[JRaquatics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13583338#post13583338 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Racenrich
IMO.....RF 12K's are very blue in color...with my actinics on; the tank looked like it had actinics only yet there was a ripple effect.
WAY TOO Blue for me....

I'm a huge fan of XM-10K-250's and VHO actinics.
My 120g under these lights.....Pic taken last week.


Rich what ballast were you burning the RF 12ks on. IMO they are really a bright white when used on the right ballast.

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m292/rvision/DSCN3366.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m292/rvision/DSCN3350.jpg

I consider Reeflux 12k the look of 10ks with actinics.

[jd474]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13583338#post13583338 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Racenrich
IMO.....RF 12K's are very blue in color...with my actinics on; the tank looked like it had actinics only yet there was a ripple effect.
WAY TOO Blue for me....

I'm a huge fan of XM-10K-250's and VHO actinics.
My 120g under these lights.....Pic taken last week.


thanks for the pic, i am more of a naturalist and it almost makes me laugh seeing tanks under 20K's and then seeing an actual coral reef (i know most here love them though). ballast type?? you have a beautiful tank BTW.

[jackson6745]

I even though the 10ks reeflux were blue. Here is 400w 10k reeflux (CV ballast) with 2 VHO actinics.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/jackson6745/Picture544.jpg