5500k?

[Pierce09]

Is 5500k to white a light for good coral growth even with an actinic? This is for a 55gal tank. With few corals.

 

[tstone]

The 5500 will work. I would use the actinic with it.
My favorite is the 10K with actinic.

 

[Pierce09]

5500k is very white correct?

 

[fishfarmer]

I wouldn't say 5500k is VERY white, but IMO isn't VERY yellow either. I've used both a Venture and a Hamilton bulb. The 5500k color temp is what the sun is supposed to look like at noon. It is very bright, but does benefit from a little actinic supplementation. The bulb grows corals very well.

 

[bdelaney]

I'm running a Hamilton 5500K right now from a used fixture I bought on ebay. I seems to be a bit yellow/greenish. My xenia is doing great under it, but its not very pleasing to look at. I have a 10000K on order.

Take a look at:
http://www.coralreefecosystems.com/ltg_bulb_color.htm
for some bulb color comparisons.

 

[MattM]

The 5500ºK bulb is much whiter than the 6500ºK Iwasaki. If used alone the tank will only be slightly yellow. With even 28W actinics it will be just fine.

FYI - The Venture 5000ºK and the Hamilton 5500ºK are the same bulb. Made by Venture and relabeled by Hamilton.

 

[danmhippo]

The higher the K, generally indicates the bluer the visible color. The 6500K I am using right now is definetly yellower than 20000K I had before. Next time to replace the bulb, I will switch back to 15000K

 

[Pierce09]

so 10000K would be a nice middle ground bulb?

 

[tstone]

Pierce09
I use the 10K with actinic. Great color and growth 8)