I swithed bulbs from 20k to 10k

[CoralBeauties]

thought I would share my results from my recent halide bulb change.  I had been using 20k bulbs for the last 2 months and was wanting alittle more growth out of my sps.  I decided to go with 10k bulbs with t-5 accents for the extra blue punch.  I liked the looks of the blue hue that the 20ks put out and do miss it some and the greens dont pop like they did before.  The 10k's are alot crisper in color and noticeably brighter.  I hadnt noticed that several of my purple corals had faded some until I installed the 10k's.  within a week or so I noticed the corals starting to color up with darker colors then ever before and the corals are starting to take off with growth.  I think that I will continue with the 10k bulbs when it comes time to change them out.  I am using 250 watt bulbs and think the extra par from the 10k has made the difference.  I have to wonder what 400 watt bulbs would do but not enough to have to buy new ballasts, bulbs and more electricity.
Jeff

[cyberwollf]

thought I would share my results from my recent halide bulb change.  I had been using 20k bulbs for the last 2 months and was wanting alittle more growth out of my sps.  I decided to go with 10k bulbs with t-5 accents for the extra blue punch.  I liked the looks of the blue hue that the 20ks put out and do miss it some and the greens dont pop like they did before.  The 10k's are alot crisper in color and noticeably brighter.  I hadnt noticed that several of my purple corals had faded some until I installed the 10k's.  within a week or so I noticed the corals starting to color up with darker colors then ever before and the corals are starting to take off with growth.  I think that I will continue with the 10k bulbs when it comes time to change them out.  I am using 250 watt bulbs and think the extra par from the 10k has made the difference.  I have to wonder what 400 watt bulbs would do but not enough to have to buy new ballasts, bulbs and more electricity.
Jeff

How big of a tank? 400W may not be better, When you reach the photosaturation level of zooanthelle and excess light is wasted, and if they are too light you reach Photoinhabition and will get bleaching.

[HUNGER]

ya 10k should be better for grouth

[CoralBeauties]

My tank is a 180 gallon tank.  The depth of my tank is just right for the 250's that I am using.  i did expect the growth increase but wasnt expecting the colors to improve so it has been a pleasant surprise.
Jeff