Whats the diff between 10000K,14000K,20000K bulbs

halideman · 04/08/2006, 07:17 PM

hello ello ello

Umm well I was just browsing reefexotics.com and the retro kits give you a choice of 10000k, 14000k or 20000k at all the same prices?? why is this and what are the heat issues.??

thnx daniel

Paintbug · 04/08/2006, 07:40 PM

those numbers are the Kelvin ratings. basicly its the color band of the lightbulb. 10,000k is white light, as the number goes up the light becomes bluer. as it goes down, the light becomes more yellow/orange. the bluer light makes your colors in the tank stand out more. but the tank doesnt look bright. if you dont plan on using any actinic lighting, most people will go with a 20,000k bulb. if you are planning on using some actinic lighting, the go with a 10,000k bulb and match your wattage with actinic.

Dubbin1 · 04/08/2006, 07:41 PM

The higher the number the bluer the color is.

pufferpoison · 04/08/2006, 07:42 PM

ok i'm pretty new at this myself, but the kelvin (k) rating is what spectrum the light is. The lower the number (6.000k), the more red / yellow the light, the higher the number (20,000K) the more blue of the spectrum.

Most ppl that i've seen like the 14000k look, at least i do.

I'm guessing this is what you mean by your question.

halideman · 04/08/2006, 10:08 PM

yeah exactly the answer i was looking for.. yeah im using 1 actinic so i think ill go with 14000k or the 10000k wateva is more available thnx guys

svb57 · 04/08/2006, 10:17 PM

Which gives best growth?

Ti · 04/08/2006, 10:29 PM

lower K = more growth

graveyardworm · 04/08/2006, 10:35 PM

Yes lower K = higher PAR = better growth = more yellow. 6500k close to natural sunlight, but once you go beneath the waves the light shifts and becomes higher K as the water absorbs more and more light.

saltfever · 04/09/2006, 06:08 AM

The down side to lower kelvin is everything grows better even algae. So if you dont like scraping glass all the time go with a higher k rating around 10000k or more is my opinion.

graveyardworm · 04/09/2006, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by saltfever
The down side to lower kelvin is everything grows better even algae. So if you dont like scraping glass all the time go with a higher k rating around 10000k or more is my opinion.

My refugium has 6500k, and my anemone tank has 10000k/actinic T-5, and my 90 mixed reef has 14000k MH + VHO actinic. I see no difference in nuisance algae growth in any of these tanks. IMO water quality ( specifically PO4 )is a far more important factor when it comes to nuisance algae growth. I maintain 5ppm nitrates with dosing and actually have less nuisance algae than before dosing.

04/08/2006, 07:17 PM	#1
halideman Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 23	Whats the diff between 10000K,14000K,20000K bulbs hello ello ello Umm well I was just browsing reefexotics.com and the retro kits give you a choice of 10000k, 14000k or 20000k at all the same prices?? why is this and what are the heat issues.?? thnx daniel __________________ D.Mitchell Current Tank Info: 4x2x2.5,3ft triddle filter chiller, metal halide, 4 fluorescent protein skimmer UV sterilizer

04/08/2006, 07:40 PM	#2
Paintbug Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Stoneville, NC Posts: 6,169	those numbers are the Kelvin ratings. basicly its the color band of the lightbulb. 10,000k is white light, as the number goes up the light becomes bluer. as it goes down, the light becomes more yellow/orange. the bluer light makes your colors in the tank stand out more. but the tank doesnt look bright. if you dont plan on using any actinic lighting, most people will go with a 20,000k bulb. if you are planning on using some actinic lighting, the go with a 10,000k bulb and match your wattage with actinic. __________________ Never ask a girl over to see your crabs!! <-Tony-> Current Tank Info: NONE currently

04/08/2006, 07:42 PM	#4
pufferpoison Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: S.E. Kansas Posts: 684	ok i'm pretty new at this myself, but the kelvin (k) rating is what spectrum the light is. The lower the number (6.000k), the more red / yellow the light, the higher the number (20,000K) the more blue of the spectrum. Most ppl that i've seen like the 14000k look, at least i do. I'm guessing this is what you mean by your question. __________________ Cage goes in the water, you go in the water. Shark's in the water. Our shark Farewell and adieu to you, fair Spanish ladies. Farewell and adieu, you ladies of Spain. For we've received orders for t Current Tank Info: 65G Reef / 20 Softies / 90 Predator

04/08/2006, 10:08 PM	#5
halideman Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 23	yeah exactly the answer i was looking for.. yeah im using 1 actinic so i think ill go with 14000k or the 10000k wateva is more available thnx guys __________________ D.Mitchell Current Tank Info: 4x2x2.5,3ft triddle filter chiller, metal halide, 4 fluorescent protein skimmer UV sterilizer

04/08/2006, 10:29 PM	#7
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	lower K = more growth __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.

04/08/2006, 07:41 PM	#3
Dubbin1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Findlay, Ohio Posts: 11,540	The higher the number the bluer the color is.

04/08/2006, 10:17 PM	#6
svb57 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Romeoville, Ill Posts: 1,907	Which gives best growth?

04/08/2006, 10:35 PM	#8
graveyardworm Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nottingham, NH Posts: 7,251	Yes lower K = higher PAR = better growth = more yellow. 6500k close to natural sunlight, but once you go beneath the waves the light shifts and becomes higher K as the water absorbs more and more light. __________________ -David- President - New Hampshire Reef Club There’ll be no one to save, with the world in a grave Current Tank Info: 100 gal lagoon/seagrass, 100 gal sump, Lifereef 72" skimmer, 180 inwall, 125 inwall seagrass/lagoon in progress

04/09/2006, 06:08 AM	#9
saltfever Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toledo Posts: 127	The down side to lower kelvin is everything grows better even algae. So if you dont like scraping glass all the time go with a higher k rating around 10000k or more is my opinion. __________________ 9 out of 10 of my personalities agree im always right! And thats good enough for me! Current Tank Info: Right now only one tank a 30gal reef with SPS,LPS and soft