Originally Posted by Emperor11
Heck, I wish they had 35k's!
really they do. in most cases the kelvin rating means jack crap. most 20 k bulbs are more like 40 or 50k.
I use Radium bulbs which some call 20k but really they are just blue. the company odes not get into the k rating becaseu its subjective to many factors. IE: take three"20k" bulbs and run them on the same ballast and conditions and you will find they are all different.
try to think of your lighting like this
6500k
very yellow, great coral growth. coral color very bland. algea growth very good under this light. must have actinics to provided the corals with proper spectrums
10000K bulbs.
still rather yellow. great coral growth. coral color Available in every brand and type (almost). all the right spectrums. needs actinic to be eye pleasing IMO.
14-15K
very nice white color. still has great coral growth.coral color looks good, all the right spectrums. does not need actinic however most people do in order to have the night lighting and even better color.
20000K
very bright ice blue whitish color., less coral growth, coral color is top notch. less algea growth. no need for actinic however should be used to have a night effect for when the halides turn off. less par so you get less penatration but for the most part its not enough to worry about.
I think the Radium brand bulb is a super nice choice. only down side IMO is they are a bit pricey. they need to be run on pulse start magnetic ballast, perferably german made ballast for best results. search my name , just about every pic you find is under radium bulbs. you will find that almost noone will argue the fact that NOTHING makes a coral look better then a radium bulb does.
well GL to ya
