10k MH Vs. 14k MH

[FinalPhaze987]

Im currently running 250w 10k hamiltons on my tank at the moment and was thinking of switching to 14k bulbs....i was wondering if this would have any negative effects on my coral...

after some reading i found out 14k's are for corals of deeper water...

my current coral list includes:

elegance, red scolymia, frogspawn, hammer, red blasto, Acanthastrea Lordhowensis, galaxy, maze brain, torch, blue chalice, colt, kenya tree, green finger, umbrella, cabbage, pipe organ, green bubble, asst. mushrooms, many zoas and polyps, and 1 BTA

any input would be appreciated...

 

[jandree22]

My understanding is that the most negative impact to your corals would be that 14k puts out a little less intensity than a 10k and you’re corals might lose some growth, but this should be negligible. Go for it.

When I upgrade to MH, I’m going with 12k-15K myself (depending on the brand.) 10k is still just a pinch too yellow, and 20k is def too blue for my taste.

 

[ChrisRD]

14Ks are fine to use with your corals. As mentioned already, you may give up some PAR and therefore growth, but the corals should adapt and survive just fine.

Check Sanjay's site to see which 14K lamps have good output on your ballast(s).
http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/

after some reading i found out 14k's are for corals of deeper water...

There's really no correlation - most manufacturers CCT ratings are grossly inaccurate and have little to no similarity with real underwater light fields in nature. Sanjay did an article about this:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/8/ ... hterm=None

Fortunately, this isn't a big problem as most photosynthetic corals are highly adaptable and after a short acclimation period often thrive under artificial lighting that is not spectrally similar at all to their natural environment on a wild reef.

HTH

 

[FinalPhaze987]

cool....i just wanted to make sure i wasnt setting up my corals for doom...

thanks for the input...i agree, the 10K's are great but just a little too yellow and doesnt bring out the colors in the coral a 14K would...