metal halide/halogen

what about compact flo??
 
i'm not quite shure what u mean my compact flo... but ive used those energy saving compact floressant bulbs (the spiral screw in ones) for my 10 gal nano, the sunlight bulbs are 5,500k and 55watts total (i used two)which i supliment with screw in 10w 50/50 bulbs (50% 6,500k 50% 10,000k) and so far this is working great for my nano, although im only planning on getting zoos and star polyps... maybe some shrooms...

if u can find a 10,000k light at home depo, please tell me, i'll be very happy
if your not going into anything too fancy, anything over 6,000k (daylight) should work ok... just dont expect too much, and i would suppliment with some bluer lights for looks and for the productivity of the coral, even the coraline algie in my tank is almost glowing under the two 50/50's so its def. worth the extra $$ for the bluer lights.
 
fishieness said:
temp. a 5500K bulb will grow corals like mad, you jsut wont get as good color because it has a higher PAR rating (not lumens)


Have you actually tested this theory?


Because it is wrong
 
Why do you say its wrong? I have used 4000k bulbs from the electrical supply store and have grown clams and lps. Bluer bulbs seem to color up more. even after you move the coral to another tank with other lights.

You knocked the T5's , Do you have any? If a lighting system is cheaper than MH with good growth and great color without energy or heat issues why not use it?

I agree MH are strong good lights, but if you are 24" or shallower you don't need all that.
 
mysis said:
Have you actually tested this theory?


Because it is wrong
i absolutly have. ive used 20000K bulbs, 10000K, and 12000K. how is it wrong? the lower the K, the higher the PAR rating is. AKA, as long as you dont burn holes in your corals, they are going to be able to produce more E via photosynthesis and will grow faster. But without the blue light, they will not florece as much, thereby, not showing nearly as much color.
what K bulb are you running the 400s on? try the next exteme. if you are using a 10000K, try a 20000, if you are using a 20000K, try a 65000K. i garentee as long as other variables are maintained, what i ssaid will prove correct.
but im wondering, what makes you say it is wrong? to the best of my research, experience, and knowledge, it is 100% correct. just wondering what you are thinking
 
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