i've always wondered what effect the lights we use have on our tanks. I understand 10k is sunlight and that actinic blue has no effect other than aesthetic. Out of curiosity, wouldnt 6700 which is used for freshwatr plaNts and is considered full spectrum be most beneficial for growth? whats best for a fuge? 10k or 6700? as for the main tank i currently have 1 fixture w 1 10k and 1 6700. Other than for the nice blue look, should i change the 6700 for an actinic blue?this is a FOWLR tank.i know evryone says to use 10k and actinic but do we really know why?........
Significance of spectrum lighting?
- Thread starter king_angel
- Start date
Killerdrgn
Advanced Reefer
- Location
- Park Ridge, NJ
Because the saltwater filters out some of the lower spectrum lighting so higher spectrum is what corals and such mostly use.
- Location
- Greenpoint Brooklyn, NY
I think you've been misinformed. There is alot about lighting and spectrums for our tanks and what is used and why and what are the results. Read up on Sanjay's area here on our website. Its in the Reef Database.
6500 is the best for growth for corals but your tank looks like you pooped in it. The bulbs tend to wash your tank with the very brownish yellow color it emits and the colors on your corals tend to look dull. People usually go with 10k + supplimentation because its the best balance between white/blue bulb color and growth. The closer you get to 20k and over your growth tends to diminish depending on the bulb but the corals gain coloration. Either because that spectrum promotes bacteria that add coloration or the light bounces off the colors making it appear so or both. Think that might still be in debate.
I dunno what spectrum of light is best for a fuge, people usually go with a good 4500k or 5000k bulb with higher lumens as most people run those home depot spotlight bulbs. Otherwise its 6.5k PC's or whatever peoples preference is but yes, lower k rating the better for algae and stuff as its closer to the spectrum of the sun.
Your bulb K ratings are going to be very color preference based as you have nothing depending on the lighting. I would go with a 10k + actinic to accentuate the colors of your fish, but people use 2x 10k or 15k and are happy.
I don;'t think you would see a difference in light filtration in our tanks killerdrgn. Tanks are too shallow and lights are too intense to notice a difference.
6500 is the best for growth for corals but your tank looks like you pooped in it. The bulbs tend to wash your tank with the very brownish yellow color it emits and the colors on your corals tend to look dull. People usually go with 10k + supplimentation because its the best balance between white/blue bulb color and growth. The closer you get to 20k and over your growth tends to diminish depending on the bulb but the corals gain coloration. Either because that spectrum promotes bacteria that add coloration or the light bounces off the colors making it appear so or both. Think that might still be in debate.
I dunno what spectrum of light is best for a fuge, people usually go with a good 4500k or 5000k bulb with higher lumens as most people run those home depot spotlight bulbs. Otherwise its 6.5k PC's or whatever peoples preference is but yes, lower k rating the better for algae and stuff as its closer to the spectrum of the sun.
Your bulb K ratings are going to be very color preference based as you have nothing depending on the lighting. I would go with a 10k + actinic to accentuate the colors of your fish, but people use 2x 10k or 15k and are happy.
I don;'t think you would see a difference in light filtration in our tanks killerdrgn. Tanks are too shallow and lights are too intense to notice a difference.
- Location
- Greenpoint Brooklyn, NY
You can grow coral and algae just on actinic lighting btw. It has a lumen, par and K rating in the right area's for growth. Its just really low growth and not really the best for it.
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