I have a question about lighting. I have a 48" Orbit lighting system on a 55 Gallon tank. It's time for me to replace the bulbs. Basically one 65w daylight went so i figured it's been 12 months it's time to replace all the bulbs. The light system uses power compacts. 2 dual antics. they are 420nm and 460nm and dual daylight 6700k and 10,000k bulbs. My tank has only LR but I'm going to add polyps and mushrooms. I was thinking of using straight 6700k bulbs vs the dual daylight bulbs and use 460 antics vs the dual bulbs. I'm under the impression that 6700k is better for corals and will keep alge in check. I know they are more yellowish thats why I figured the straight 460 antics will add some extra blue to compensate. Is my thinking wrong? Any thoughts would be great.
Lighting question
- Thread starter Uncle-fester
- Start date
I'm not sure there Uncle. I understand the 420 almost don't even show off light when you look at them, they are like a purple light. You know like back in the seventies, but they are suppose to make the reds and colors stand out. As for the 6700K I do believe that I read at Noon in the tropic's the level of the sun's light is equal to 6500k or 6700K so I think that's why Corals like that wave length. The reason people go with the 10,000k or above is for viewing puposes ( Blue , White) . They make a tank look nicer, but I believe corals prefer the 6500K range Give or take. I'm not an expert so don't use my advise. If any could shine some light , So to speak on the situation please do.
Hello to both of you and :welcome:
Uncle, the mix of lamps you have in mind will work fine - a lot of the choice is visual preference. If you like the look I say go for it.
As to what spectrum is "best" for corals - it's a complex topic and really depends on what your metric for "best" is. In general, the brighter daylight type lamps produce the best growth rates and bluer lamps tend to show off colors better and are more aesthetically pleasing for many. Different types of lighting can also bring out different pigments in certain corals. The short answer is - there's no short answer. :wink:
To further complicate things many manufacturers' lamp ratings are not at all accurate (ie. the lamp doesn't produce the actual color temperature it's rated for). You have to take their color temp ratings with a very big grain of salt.
One thing I can tell you for sure is that switching to 6700K lamps will NOT make it easier to keep algae in check. If anything, it would generally increase algae growth (more light + similar nutrient levels = more algae).
HTH
Uncle, the mix of lamps you have in mind will work fine - a lot of the choice is visual preference. If you like the look I say go for it.
As to what spectrum is "best" for corals - it's a complex topic and really depends on what your metric for "best" is. In general, the brighter daylight type lamps produce the best growth rates and bluer lamps tend to show off colors better and are more aesthetically pleasing for many. Different types of lighting can also bring out different pigments in certain corals. The short answer is - there's no short answer. :wink:
To further complicate things many manufacturers' lamp ratings are not at all accurate (ie. the lamp doesn't produce the actual color temperature it's rated for). You have to take their color temp ratings with a very big grain of salt.
One thing I can tell you for sure is that switching to 6700K lamps will NOT make it easier to keep algae in check. If anything, it would generally increase algae growth (more light + similar nutrient levels = more algae).
HTH
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