Switching from 20k to a 14k....

[Hurgoth]

...will this adversly effect my zoos?

I want to tone my blue down a tad and also heard that the 14k will make my zoos look nice.

Here are some pics to go with the post :)


http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c304/ReefNoob/TheLineup.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c304/ReefNoob/OriginalZoos.jpg

[XeniaMania]

This is something I've been debating alot myself. I'll hear stories that 20000K gives the most growth. Then ppl will say closer to natural sun will so that means 6500K. I've seen good growth with some of my xenias with 20000K, but I'm also switching to 14000K again, but going HQI this time. I had 14000K before and didn't see much growth, but I'm also alot more attentive to water quality now as well. Too many factors, but I'm switching to 14000K HQI to gain the benefit of electronic ballast since that's what my new Sunpod comes with.

[Mr. Ugly]

I thought in general that 20000k has less PAR and is supposed to be better for color than growth.

I've had zoas under fluorescents and PCs, and the color on those is kinda flat.

Zoas I've taken from under 20000k and grown out under 14000k look a lot brighter with greater color depth and translucency than when they started.

When I put them back under 20000k, they really glow. I've seen them lose color and turn flat when put back under PC also.

[dc_909]

Nice collection

[bobafett]

I switched from 20K to 14K. The tank did get brighter. From what I see in your pics the only zoo that might be affected (color wise) is the green/purple colony above the bright pinks. The purple sometimes brightens but in most cases becomes duller. The others should look much nicer and brighter.

[Zoalander]

I went from 20K coralife bulb to a 14K phoenix and ended up burning some corals. Make sure you acclimate them tot he new light very slowly. I also heard that 14K is actually bluer then 20K, the color differance in 20K is purple.

[Ti]

nice stuff

[Hurgoth]

If I were to switch, and the colors actually became dull, if I went back to my original bulb type would the colors come back in time?

[geoxman]

yes they would come back-but through the years I have found better color under 20k and better growth under 10K-so you get a little of both in 14k. I just sold my 3 month old Phoenix 14k DE bulbs and switched back to 20k because of lack of coloration. I do not know what kind of a bulb you are using but IMHO SE bulbs are more purple than DE in that lighting spectrum and I use DE-good luck

[MUCHO REEF]

The 14k DE Phoenix needs only minimal actinic supplementaion. It's my bulb of choice unless you prefer bluish substrate with more then minimal supplementaion.


Mucho Reef

[Nicodemayo]

5 year old thread Mucho

[MUCHO REEF]

5 year old thread Mucho

And your point is? :)


Someone also just bumped a 7 year old thread and others have bumped some even older. Good threads never die, they just move to the next page.

[Jarred1]

5 year old thread Mucho

LOL the reason for bumping old threads is because they are good thread. Today the only threads that are made are threads like name this, look what I have, and hype threads.

[Dave VG]

LOL the reason for bumping old threads is because they are good thread. Today the only threads that are made are threads like name this, look what I have, and hype threads.

Well said Jarred1. What’s the big deal here anyway Nicodemayo. People could learn from real threads with good info like this in them. Besides they seem very scarce these days. To bad we have to dig them up. Good job MUCHO REEF keep up the good work/info

[organism]

5 year old thread Mucho

Weird, you just sent people to a year old thread in another post. Just keep us posted on the rules of how far back we're allowed to talk about useful threads, about a year seems ok by you, sorry we were all unaware of the rules. Or just post a list of threads you personally find useful so we know we're allowed to bump those but have to avoid the rest.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=19081853&postcount=20

Funny you have posted this, because last weekend I was looking through that massive thread where you introduced your feeding method. I read the whole damn thing and realized you hadn't updated in awhile. I was going to drop you a pm to see whats up. Very inspiring setup and collection. Great work man.

If anyone wants a good read, check this thread out

Polyps Galore, 70+ Colony Zoa tank (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1896006&highlight=zoa+only+tank&page=1)