Kelvin and Spectrum's

Thanks for the links!

 

omg!!! i thought i read it all but now it seems as if i've got another topic to read up on for the next 4 months!!! hahahahaha whaaahahaha!!!

 

Here's more. The pictures are as amazing as the other pictures I linked to.

Capturing the Unseen - Reefkeeping.com

 

420nm(03 blue/03actinic)=True Actinic
460nm=Actinic Blue

What it comes down to is personal preference. Its not possible to replicate the Sun and how it effects corals, and most people dont wanna try. The sun brings out 3 dominant colors, Brown, Yellow and Green (shade variations of all 3). Thats why most corals on the market are one of those 3 colors. Once we get them accustomed to artificial lighting, they start to take on new color morphs. For example, I had got a rock of green Zoanthids, had them for a long time under 14,000K MH's, sold the rock, and it was put under 20,000K and they morphed an orange ring. Exact same coral/polyps, just different lighting.

But yeah, to the point... Its just a matter of preference. Im not a big fan of a lot of blue because it washes out the color in fish, but it does make the colors in corals really come out. Which is why I run 14,000K MH for display's or a mixture of true actinic and 10,000K T5HO's. This way I get the best of both worlds.

 

What spectrum would a standard MH400/U bulb be.

Or a MH400/u/bu

 

Simple to answer- 14k can sometimes be to blue and 10k to yellow, people assume a 12k would be a great mix- ever see a 12k T5? They (good ones) look pretty good IMHO. Most people want an all in one solution- no experimental mixing of bulbs (to complicated and expensive), plus it's cheaper in the long run. Technically 12k would be a great spect. bulb- esp. with atinics. Very user friendly- more adjustable so to speak.

Edit- If I could find them (250watt MH SE) I would try them if the price was right.

 

I think the UVL Actinic White bulbs have somewhat of a "12,000K" look to them.

 

This is great! Thanks for posting the charts. As I am researching the lights, I was wondering "who" Kelvin was, so now I know

 

Great reading. Reviving the thread for those that have not read it yet.

 

Metal halide 14K is my preference as well it will bring out the best of the fish' but I confess I do run on start up T12 Super Actinic's VHO's ( 2x 72 inch'ers )
But ive recently gotten interested into LED's