What's the difference in lighting ?
- Thread starter dartman
- Start date
symon
Member
It really depends on what you are trying to keep , The lighting you have now Depending on tank size will probably work for any fish ( for lighting spectrum to bring out colors)
and possibly even allow you to keep some types of soft corals! Most corals require much higher lighting, Halide would be what you are looking for!
Lets not forget water quality!
And remember most lighting should be replaced every 6 months, as it ages it looses the quality!
and possibly even allow you to keep some types of soft corals! Most corals require much higher lighting, Halide would be what you are looking for!
Lets not forget water quality!
And remember most lighting should be replaced every 6 months, as it ages it looses the quality!
thegrog
Active Member
Originally Posted by dartman
My question is what's the difference in lighting between atinic, 12000k, 50/50 etc... I have a 2 atinic and 2 12000k but what type of lighting 1. makes things look better and 2. Things grow better?
OK, what you are talking about is the lighting color spectrum. Lighting is measured in degrees Kelvin (K). 10,000K is a very crisp white light that is full spectrum and is best for corals. 20,000K is very blue and inbetween is varying shades of blue. 6700K is a very yellowish light specturm.
The actinics are a specific spectrum of light wavelength rather than a broad spectrum, usually 420 or 470nm. The actinics cause certain proteins found in many marine inverts to flouresce (glow). The specturm is also very blue in appearance. Not totally needed for coral/invert growth, but makes tanks look nice. If you have 12,000K or higher, the bulbs will contain lots of light at the actinic end of the spectrum so the seperate actinics are not needed (I only run 20,000K bulbs and tank looks great).
50/50 bulbs are usually half 10,000K and half actinic.
(most) Fish really dont' care what spectrum of light there is, just as long as there is light. There are those few that are dark dwelling fish that don't like bright light, but those are few and far between.
now the type of lighting makes a big difference. Power compacts (PC), VHO and metal halides are the popular choices for corals. People have thriving reef tanks under all three types, just the types of corals/inverts you can keep varies pending on which type of lighing you have.
My question is what's the difference in lighting between atinic, 12000k, 50/50 etc... I have a 2 atinic and 2 12000k but what type of lighting 1. makes things look better and 2. Things grow better?
OK, what you are talking about is the lighting color spectrum. Lighting is measured in degrees Kelvin (K). 10,000K is a very crisp white light that is full spectrum and is best for corals. 20,000K is very blue and inbetween is varying shades of blue. 6700K is a very yellowish light specturm.
The actinics are a specific spectrum of light wavelength rather than a broad spectrum, usually 420 or 470nm. The actinics cause certain proteins found in many marine inverts to flouresce (glow). The specturm is also very blue in appearance. Not totally needed for coral/invert growth, but makes tanks look nice. If you have 12,000K or higher, the bulbs will contain lots of light at the actinic end of the spectrum so the seperate actinics are not needed (I only run 20,000K bulbs and tank looks great).
50/50 bulbs are usually half 10,000K and half actinic.
(most) Fish really dont' care what spectrum of light there is, just as long as there is light. There are those few that are dark dwelling fish that don't like bright light, but those are few and far between.
now the type of lighting makes a big difference. Power compacts (PC), VHO and metal halides are the popular choices for corals. People have thriving reef tanks under all three types, just the types of corals/inverts you can keep varies pending on which type of lighing you have.