20k question

Supreme Reefs · Jan 10, 2009

I just set up a pendant with a 20k 250watt ushio this is my first time experiencing a 20k bulb. I heard the 20k's are bad for coral growth because of the spectrum or something. Just want to know what everyones experiences or opinions are.

Hypertek99 · Jan 10, 2009

20k does slow down growth. But the color is much better on the corals

poolshark181 · Jan 10, 2009

there are rumors and studies going on debating if 20k spectrum does slow down growth, particularly for zoas, and they may in fact enhance growth rate. ill have to root around to see if i can find it.

Hypertek99 · Jan 10, 2009

It doesn't seem to slow down my LPS corals

Tankguy001 · Jan 11, 2009

I'm much more for color over growth. I like having the 20Ks.

Supreme Reefs · Jan 11, 2009

poolshark181 said:
there are rumors and studies going on debating if 20k spectrum does slow down growth, particularly for zoas, and they may in fact enhance growth rate. ill have to root around to see if i can find it.

o really :) thanks poolshark let me know if you can find it itll help out a lot

Supreme Reefs · Jan 11, 2009

same here i love the color on the 20k but it makes the tank seem not as bright colored. does anyone have the ushio bulbs?

aquarius77 · Jan 11, 2009

I did a study here over the last year and a half! It was wildly inconsistent and had hundreds of variables but the conclusion i came up with was that :
While 10k may give you better growth on light loving corals it also washed them out and made them look bland. 20k, while growth might have slowed a tiny bit the overall appearance of the tank and its inhabitants was much more pleasing.

Reef Pets · Jan 11, 2009

I use Ushio bulbs and absolutely love them. I use (4) 400 Watt Ushios and (1) 250 Watt Ushio and all of them are 20K. I get tons of gowth out of Zoas, LPS and SPS. And of course the color is great. My opinion would be 20K Ushios all the way......

Supreme Reefs · Jan 11, 2009

:) that sounds great yes i love how all the colors really pop out i feel a lot better of my purchase with the 20k ushio now. its just that for some reason the bulb is flickering a little bit im not sure if its the ballasts or the bulb itself or the fixture... its an ice cap pendant double ended. anyone ever had this problem?

bamachamp92 · Jan 11, 2009

I have used 20k for the last 4 months and I have seen a lot of growth and color since going to them so I dont know what I would have gotten out of 10k as far as growth but I wouldnt switch.

AquaWorldPSC · Jan 11, 2009

Usually if you want growth and color at the same time you have to get a 12k-14k bulbs and supplement them with actinics. That sees to work the best IMO.

Supreme Reefs · Jan 12, 2009

Yeah i have 2 tanks one has an 14k and other is 20k now i guess i just have to wait and see the growth on those. Although the one with 14k has actinics and the 20k doesnt. I also have heard that different types of bulbs give out certain amount of light than other. For example an ushio 250watt will be almost equal to a 400watt XM and pheonix is same. Would this be true if different brands have more light intensity than others?