Best Kelvin for reef lighting

marcingo · #1 10-26-2006, 12:57 AM

I am setting up a 55 gallon (4ft x 1 ft wide x 21 inches tall) and I am planning on using 2 250 watt metal halide bulbs. Basically I would like to know what everyone thinks would be the best lighting for both coral growth and aesthetics. Also I would like the corals so show their colors the best in the chosen lighting.

I realize there are a few different type of metal hallide bulb kelvin and have learned that 20k is the bluest. I find I like the look of a tank with a blueish tinge to it. But I have also heard that 6500k is the best for coral growth. I dont really want to add a whole setup of actinic bulbs. I did buy a power compact 24 inch light for my 10 gal nano(that recently crashed) that I could use for the actinic on one side of the tank (is it possible to just replace the power compact daylight bulb with a actinic bulb?) But other than that I do not want to add any VHO or other flourescent lighting when I set up the MH because I plan to have them in a pendant. If I place any flourescent lighting (Actinic) on the tank it will be in the way of the MH light coming down from the pendent.

Anyway sorry for the long digression but what once again what is the best lighting for me. I would like the bluest possible that still has reasonable coral growth should I go with 14k lighting, 10k or just stay with the 20k that I have been planning.

Thanks

Quagmire · #2 10-26-2006, 01:21 AM

14K looks good and you get better growth than 20K.10K will give you nice growth,but you may find you want actinics if you like the blue look.6500 will look like someone pee'd in your tank.They're best for grow out tanks.

Skimmerking · #3 10-26-2006, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quagmire

14K looks good and you get better growth than 20K.10K will give you nice growth,but you may find you want actinics if you like the blue look.6500 will look like someone pee'd in your tank.They're best for grow out tanks.

pretty much like Quagmire said. If you like the bluer look then go with a 12-20 K then you dont have to worry about actinic's and if you are on the budget you are good to go for the lighting. Myself I'm always trying to find the cheapest way to run my tank ,but always end up running lots of lights.

Reef lighting isnt cheap. Go for the right and the best lighting in the tank that is going to make you happy. I had iwasaki 6500K 400's on my tank and my wife loved them. I didnt mind them yes if was friggin bright. But if you dont have a refugium growing algae. your going to get it growing in the main tank. At least in mine I know it would grow like weeds. But if you are planning on having a deep tank go for the 400's and blast the whole tank. Like mine again i have BB in my tank and have the 400's up
15" over the water and still have lots of light.

Last but not least what ever you can afford is the biggest thing.

HTH

honkey sauce · #4 10-26-2006, 02:10 AM

400 s might make a 55g tank boil could try pfo 250w mini pendant, that would be more than enough.Thats what I have on my 230g and its killer bright with geisman magacrome 13k. Best color and brightest bulb ive bought so far

Skimmerking · #5 10-26-2006, 02:16 AM

I hope I didnt make it sound like to put 400's over your tank..... if Its me go for 250's or 175's .. or you can always go VHo over a 55 gal with 4 bulbs 3 white and a actinic. its lots of light too for clams and sps.. if you got that route or even go with the T_5's

marcingo · #6 10-26-2006, 02:26 AM

Sounds good. What I want to do is be able to grow anything I find that looks very cool. Sounds lame I know. So basically if I go with the metal hallide do you guys think 14k MH would be the way to go for my tank(if I dont want to supplement with other lighting). I will go with 2 250 watt 14k I think. Anyway thanks for all the advice everyone. If you think my choice of lighting should be different let me know.