propagation tank

[Mikef1]

I am thinking about starting a propagation tank that is hooked up to my main tank. I was thinking of a 40gal breeder tank. I am trying to decide on lighting, I was thinking a 250DE 10k pendent or maybe 20k, what do you guys think of that? Any Ideas?

 

[Mikef1]

If I went with 20k I might not need actinics.

 

[Apophis924]

If you are going to grow SPS i would go with the 10k or less bulb. in fact you get your fatstest growth at around 6 to 7 k. Granted the colors will not be spectacular due to the yellow bias of the lighting but if your goal is propagation and growth this is the right lighting temp. The coral colors will come thru once you move them to your display lighting scheme.

 

[reefNewbie]

yea for sps get an iwasaki bulb.

 

[liquid]

I think the real question here is: What do you want to propagate? Choose your lighting based on what you want to propagate and not the other way around. Softies take far far less light than SPS.

Shane

 

[Mikef1]

Shane, I will be propagating SPS

 

[Unarce]

Mike,

I'd stick with what the pros are using, and go with 20K's. It sounded like you were leaning toward that anyway. The old thinking is that Iwasaki's and low Kelvin ratings grow corals faster but there's no proof of it and really doesn't follow suit with how corals utilize light for photosynthesis. After tons of research and practically begging for proof on this website, there are no facts to back it up. You'll get great SPS growth and even better coloration with 20K.

 

[Mikef1]

Thanks reefnutz, I am going to go with the 20ks. Your right almost all the tanks I looked at online are using 20k for sps propagation. I have 20k radiums right now and love the color they give my SPS

 

[liquid]

Bottom line is that if you want to sell SPS, people want color. You will get better color out of higher kelvin bulbs IME.

Shane

 

[Mikef1]

Do you guys think one 250de pendent would be sufficient over a 40gal breeder.

 

[liquid]

Yup.