Different than usual lighting scheme

DesertBandits · 02/21/2006, 09:48 PM

Im getting 3x55w PC for my 29 gal tank. The normal thing would be to go for 3 50/50 bulbs, but I had a different idea. Im thinking of going 1 6500k and 2 actinic. I thought this might make the tank blueish but also bring out some of the warm colors. I also thought 6500k might be better light for my corals/ macros than 10,000k.

My question is: does this sound like a retarded idea or am i onto something? Is 6500K better for growth? Would this lighting scheme look better/ get better growth than all 50/50 bulbs?
Has anyone else ever done something like this before?

-thanks for any help

Perureef · 02/22/2006, 10:35 AM

ive did the same thing, but with T5's (two 6500K, two true actinic. i have not found any dif. in coral growth after switching to 10,000K bulbs, but have read that coral growth is better above 6500K because its more like their natural environment. cant imagine why this would be true but its always best to replicate nature i guess. however with 6500Ks i found the lighting a bit yellow, but then again these were T5s, i imagine PC's would be either better or worse in these regards, possibly better since two actinics are to be used in your case. hope that helps

smeegus · 02/22/2006, 11:43 AM

I ran a 4X55W PC setup on my 29 and had two 10000K and two actinic. The reason I stay away from 50/50's is because I like the actinic lights to be on 1 hour before and 1 hour after the 10000Ks are on. It at least makes me feel like there is a Dawn and Dusk for my tank.

I am thinking of switching to a 3X55W set-up to save space in an new hood design and then I may go with 1 actinic, 1 50/50, and 1 10000K?

02/21/2006, 09:48 PM	#1
DesertBandits Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Central Jersey Posts: 430	Different than usual lighting scheme Im getting 3x55w PC for my 29 gal tank. The normal thing would be to go for 3 50/50 bulbs, but I had a different idea. Im thinking of going 1 6500k and 2 actinic. I thought this might make the tank blueish but also bring out some of the warm colors. I also thought 6500k might be better light for my corals/ macros than 10,000k. My question is: does this sound like a retarded idea or am i onto something? Is 6500K better for growth? Would this lighting scheme look better/ get better growth than all 50/50 bulbs? Has anyone else ever done something like this before? -thanks for any help

02/22/2006, 10:35 AM	#2
Perureef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NJ, Essex County Posts: 450	ive did the same thing, but with T5's (two 6500K, two true actinic. i have not found any dif. in coral growth after switching to 10,000K bulbs, but have read that coral growth is better above 6500K because its more like their natural environment. cant imagine why this would be true but its always best to replicate nature i guess. however with 6500Ks i found the lighting a bit yellow, but then again these were T5s, i imagine PC's would be either better or worse in these regards, possibly better since two actinics are to be used in your case. hope that helps

02/22/2006, 11:43 AM	#3
smeegus Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: KY Posts: 30	I ran a 4X55W PC setup on my 29 and had two 10000K and two actinic. The reason I stay away from 50/50's is because I like the actinic lights to be on 1 hour before and 1 hour after the 10000Ks are on. It at least makes me feel like there is a Dawn and Dusk for my tank. I am thinking of switching to a 3X55W set-up to save space in an new hood design and then I may go with 1 actinic, 1 50/50, and 1 10000K?