Kelvin Lighting Guide

Felixc395 · 12/19/2009, 11:32 AM

I understand the concept of the Kelvin Scale, but I haven't seen it. I have a 10k/actinic system and I'm deciding to go more blue, but not sure how much.

Could people post some pics of their tank and the details of their lighting system (please include Kelvin rating).

I'd appreciate as many posts as possible, even if a certain Kelvin rating has been posted please post yours as well.

Thanks, I hope to see pictures soon!!!

Josh72836G · 12/19/2009, 07:48 PM

No pics since I'm fiddling with my tanks this weekend but two useful bits of information I have found are that different manufacturers can have very different bulb coloration. When I changed my T5 setup from Hagen Glo bulbs to Giesemann bulbs the difference was mind blowing. Also, for at least MH, Two bulbs from different brands with the same kelvin rating may be drastically different colors. What type and wattage of lighting do you have? Also what size and dimensions are your tank? That will give us a better idea of what to recommend. I'll be following along to satisfy my curiosities.

chris88 · 12/19/2009, 08:07 PM

Did you like the Giesemann or the hagen glo bulbs better?

Josh72836G · 12/19/2009, 08:34 PM

The Giesemann were about twice as bright and the color was much, much better. Granted about twice the price but a far better quality bulb in my opinion.

Felixc395 · 12/19/2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh72836G

No pics since I'm fiddling with my tanks this weekend but two useful bits of information I have found are that different manufacturers can have very different bulb coloration. When I changed my T5 setup from Hagen Glo bulbs to Giesemann bulbs the difference was mind blowing. Also, for at least MH, Two bulbs from different brands with the same kelvin rating may be drastically different colors. What type and wattage of lighting do you have? Also what size and dimensions are your tank? That will give us a better idea of what to recommend. I'll be following along to satisfy my curiosities.

Well actually I'm getting a whole new lighting system for my tank and I'm wondering what bulbs I should get for my taste. The aquarium is a 37 gallon (30'' long, 12'' wide, and 17'' high) with compact fluorescent lighting (1 dual 10k daylight and 1 dual 420nm actinic) now and I'm thinking of upgrading to T5 so I can get sps corals. The T5 is an aquaticlife T5 light with 4 24 watt bulbs. It comes with 2 10k and 2 actinics. I know I'd like something more blue than that, bit I'm not sure.

maynardjames · 12/20/2009, 01:59 AM

try 2 ati blue plus`s in place of the actinics. nice blue & tons of par

Felixc395 · 12/20/2009, 09:43 AM

Great, I was suggested I try two ATI blue plus, one ATI aquablue, and one UVL actinic white to give a 14/15 k look.

Does this sound right?

12/19/2009, 11:32 AM	#1
Felixc395 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,612	Kelvin Lighting Guide I understand the concept of the Kelvin Scale, but I haven't seen it. I have a 10k/actinic system and I'm deciding to go more blue, but not sure how much. Could people post some pics of their tank and the details of their lighting system (please include Kelvin rating). I'd appreciate as many posts as possible, even if a certain Kelvin rating has been posted please post yours as well. Thanks, I hope to see pictures soon!!!

12/19/2009, 07:48 PM	#2
Josh72836G Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Seaside, California Posts: 61	No pics since I'm fiddling with my tanks this weekend but two useful bits of information I have found are that different manufacturers can have very different bulb coloration. When I changed my T5 setup from Hagen Glo bulbs to Giesemann bulbs the difference was mind blowing. Also, for at least MH, Two bulbs from different brands with the same kelvin rating may be drastically different colors. What type and wattage of lighting do you have? Also what size and dimensions are your tank? That will give us a better idea of what to recommend. I'll be following along to satisfy my curiosities. __________________ "Oh but nothing beats cantaloupe with a little palytoxin spread on it." -emm0909 Current Tank Info: 60G with 20G sump

12/19/2009, 08:34 PM	#4
Josh72836G Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Seaside, California Posts: 61	The Giesemann were about twice as bright and the color was much, much better. Granted about twice the price but a far better quality bulb in my opinion. __________________ "Oh but nothing beats cantaloupe with a little palytoxin spread on it." -emm0909 Current Tank Info: 60G with 20G sump

12/19/2009, 08:07 PM	#3
chris88 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alberta (canada) Posts: 657	Did you like the Giesemann or the hagen glo bulbs better?

12/20/2009, 01:59 AM	#6
maynardjames Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: west tennessee Posts: 1,600	try 2 ati blue plus`s in place of the actinics. nice blue & tons of par

12/20/2009, 09:43 AM	#7
Felixc395 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,612	Great, I was suggested I try two ATI blue plus, one ATI aquablue, and one UVL actinic white to give a 14/15 k look. Does this sound right?