Bulb selection and coral growth

[ellisz]

I know there is a science for this but mainly looking for opinions to color and whether or not corals were affected.

I have 2 250 CV 10k MH's and 2 T5's(1 actinic and one 50/50) on my 75 gal. I am looking at a bluer MH bulb and I like the look of the CV 12k or 14k bulbs. I did see a cheap bulb on ebay that got decent reviews on RC, Sun Aquatics 14k but it looks a bit bluer than the CV's.

I love the look of the brightness of the 10k's but I would like a bit more actinic. I don't really think the 2 T5's will do a whole lot but they do fine for dusk/dawn lighting. Will most 14k's be similar or is it brand specific?

The next thing is coral color. By going with a 14k over my current 10k, will I see a negative color change on my corals? The reason I ask this is on my 10 gal, I run 2 32 watt smartlamps(50/50). I figured 64 watts on a 10 gal with the depth being what it is, I would be ok putting frags from my main into the 10 gal. I have noticed a loss of color on some zoos and the growth is not there. I know that my main is more established but the 10 was setup with LR/LS from my other tanks. Is this a maturity issue or could it be the lights?

Sorry for the ramble but this has been on my mind lately

 

[Salttanker]

I am using the CV 250w 14K's and coudn't be happier. In fact, there is so much blue to them that I don't have to run my pc along side of them. Sometimes it is a matter of corals adjusting to the new light. I went with 14K because it seems to be the happy medium of the MH bulbs.

Mike

 

[MT79]

By going with a 14k over my current 10k, will I see a negative color change on my corals?

Not at all, you'll actually see more color b/c of the higher k light. Growth may be alittle slower w/ a higher k lamp though. I use CV 14k's. No need to suppliment w/ actinics, although I do for some extra "pop" from my corals.

I have noticed a loss of color on some zoos and the growth is not there

The reason the growth slows and colors fade in your 10 is b/c of the light, while enough to support the frags, it isn't as intense as the MH's on your main tank.

 

[ellisz]

The reason the growth slows and colors fade in your 10 is b/c of the light, while enough to support the frags, it isn't as intense as the MH's on your main tank.

Most of my frags were in my tank before I got the MH's. I was actually experiencing very fast growth with my cheap 4x55 Jebo PC light. My 10 gal should be better than that. I wish I could of got a separate 10k and separate 03 bulbs but I figured the smartlamp would work.

I guess I will give it some time and see what happens. Anyone use the sun aquatics bulbs? You can get a 250 14k bulb for 32.50. I do like the CV's I have right now though...

 

[Salttanker]

Ebay has some pretty good prices on CV bulbs as well. I like these a lot.

Mike

 

[ellisz]

Ahh, I see that. I also saw that a sponsor here(Sharky's reef) has a Avalon 14k bulb. Anyone used it?