Ideal spectrum for optimal coral growth

[Oregon]

I recently read in another thread that a 6500k bulb will grow coral faster than a 14k. I'm running 50/50's over my prop tank but its time to replace the bulbs. What is the best spectrum for propogation only tanks to accelate growth?

[SbCaes]

I recently read in another thread that a 6500k bulb will grow coral faster than a 14k. I'm running 50/50's over my prop tank but its time to replace the bulbs. What is the best spectrum for propogation only tanks to accelate growth?

 

well your going to get the most growth from something lik a 10k dealing with 6.5ks without the balance might promote some algae growth. but they will grow faster with lower K bulbs but you def wont be growing anything pretty =) but you coudl do. is say 10or even lower entirely how you setup your system. and then swtich to 20ks for a few months . to help color up. that could work =)

[lgreen]

6500k = most growth, but also equals butt ugly.

 

10k = good growth, better color

 

14k = marginal growth, much better color

 

20k = even less growth, but very awesome color

 

Bottom line, you got to decide if color or growth is more important. Most people compromise w/ 10k or 14k. I can assure you plenty of people get awesome growth and color from those Phoenix 14k bulbs.

[SbCaes]

6500k = most growth, but also equals butt ugly.

 

10k = good growth, better color

 

14k = marginal growth, much better color

 

20k = even less growth, but very awesome color

 

Bottom line, you got to decide if color or growth is more important. Most people compromise w/ 10k or 14k. I can assure you plenty of people get awesome growth and color from those Phoenix 14k bulbs.

 

lg has it. it really jsut comes down to the PAR values of the bulbs and ballast you choose to use. and remember if you are propping the costs of overdriven bulbs vs the net benefit. etc etc.

[lgreen]

lg has it. it really jsut comes down to the PAR values of the bulbs and ballast you choose to use. and remember if you are propping the costs of overdriven bulbs vs the net benefit. etc etc.

 

Yeah,like SbCaes is saying, that ballast believe it or not can make a world of difference. Put a 14k Phoenix bulb on a PFO hqi ballast and you'll have nothing to worry about. You'll get awesome growth and color (assuming good circulation, proper nutrient levels, and adequate supplementation).

[tinyreef]

You'll get awesome growth and color (assuming good circulation, proper nutrient levels, and adequate supplementation).

while i agree with the color temp comments, i think as much has to do with the other factors lg listed for growth/health.

 

corals and reefs aren't just located/successful where there's intense sunlight. the water temp, flow, nutrients, and purity of the surrounding waters (human influence/pollution) need to also be optimal, i.e. goldilocks zones.

 

imo, those are some of the reasons why reefs aren't dominant in south america even though it's the same intense sunlight of the indo-pacific and africa, and actually more intense than the caribbean. light is only part of the equation; aquascape/flow dynamics and coral nutrients (-planktons) are just as important imo.

 

pristine water conditions are pretty much assumed although optimal conditions vary from coral to coral. often hobbyists think one size fits all. when optimal conditions can vary greatly from one coral to another despite similarities in morphology. e.g. pigs prefer mud but cats don't.

[shaggydoo541]

As a general rule 6.5 will give best growth. But you have to consider so many other factors that you could have 6.5k and get worse growth than a 20k if you neglect other aspects. Plus it matters what type of coral you are talking about. So many factors are involved that you can see adequate growth with almost any kind of bulb color as long as you do your homework and get other variables in line.

[The Propagator]

Water quality, Calcium and other elements, food stuffs, current, light intensity versus coral species that can actually use it...

 

Are all more important factor with growth rates than Kelvin if your above 6.5k.

I get just as fast growth under 20k 250w de's as I do 10k or 14 K. ( Yes I really have tried it

 

The addition of Coral Accel will immensely improve growth rates as will the addition of Reef plus.

 

Every thing combined is what ultimately matters for growth rates and over all health, but if you want fast growth rate with excellent color keep up on your parameters, calcium, alk, iodine ( what ever you need to)

and dose Coral accell and Reef plus.

 

With 6.5k though your gonna have an algae farm too.

 

Honestly I realy have seen the best growth rates with my polyps and my sps under the 2 x 20k 250w Ushio DEs.

[Oregon]

Great info guys...I think I'll give my PC fixture to a friend who's just starting out and start burning a 20k over the prop tank. Color is paramount to growth speed in my book. Plus if Prop says he gets good growth rates under 20k then I'll trust him. The quality of the balast playing a factor is a big suprise to me. Goes to show how little I know about electronics

 

As far as ballasts go, will any quality brand do the job or are certain brand leaps and bounds above the rest? All my halide lighting right now is currently in the form of Sunpods, but I'm thinking of doing a single 250W 20k over the prop tank.

 

Hey Propagator, what lighting schedule are you running over your main tank? Is there any practical merit to getting a fixture with T5 supplements for light dusk/dawn cycling?

[My-eel-bit-me]

Solaris LEDs are the way to go.

[scarfish]

Solaris LEDs are the way to go.

 

Yeah hopefully the price comes down within the next 10 years.

[spanko]

Hey Prop, at first glance the two products you listed Coral Accel and Reef Plus seem to be the same thing with the first added daily and the second added twice per week. Are you recommending using one or the other? If so do you have a preference?

[Oregon]

Mark Weiss has a acceleration product just for softies. I'm wondering, since I'm only currently propping schrooms, cords, zoos etc if I should give this one a try. Any word on this products?

[SPS20]

Mark Weiss has a acceleration product just for softies. I'm wondering, since I'm only currently propping schrooms, cords, zoos etc if I should give this one a try. Any word on this products?

 

Mark Weiss products are garbage. In general, if a product makes grand claims and the manufacturer refuses to reveal what it is or how it works, it doesn't belong in your tank. There are alot of manufacturers selling bottles of "magic reef dust" for premium prices, with absolutely no explanation of how the product works or what it contains. Sadly, that is a part of this hobby. Mark Weiss products are, to put it simply, snake oil.

 

As a general rule, don't put it in your tank if there are no ingredients listed, and you will be fine.

 

For soft corals, you really don't need to add anything except food and perhaps iodine. Regular water changes will take care of the rest.

 

- Josh

[Oregon]

Good to know, SPS20. One thing I've learned is that companies also want to sell several different products that could easily be combined into one.

 

Cichlid-forum.com has a useful section in which users rate and describe products. This would be a great addition to NR. Maybe we could start threads on different product lines. Prop seems to swear by Accel and Reef Plus. Do you think that these are worth the money in a softy-only prop-tank?

[SPS20]

Good to know, SPS20. One thing I've learned is that companies also want to sell several different products that could easily be combined into one.

 

Cichlid-forum.com has a useful section in which users rate and describe products. This would be a great addition to NR. Maybe we could start threads on different product lines. Prop seems to swear by Accel and Reef Plus. Do you think that these are worth the money in a softy-only prop-tank?

 

I have used Reef Plus, and consider it to be a good product. I have no experience with Coral Accel. Regardless, you can't argue with the growth and coloration The Propagator has acheived. In general, Seachem and Kent Marine make good products, and don't sell much in the way of "fluff".

 

So the short answer is, they may help, but I don't consider either neccessary. At a minimum, do weekly partial water changes and use some form of iodine supplement, and you should be able to keep softies alive just fine. If you have any hard corals or clams, you should also test and supplement both Alk and Ca+. Don't worry too much about Alk/Ca+, however, if you aren't keeping any calcifying critters beyond snails. (provided, of course, you keep up on your water changes) As for the products mentioned, go ahead and use them. I personally cannot really attest as to their effectiveness at increasing growth, but The Propagator can. Even if The Propagator is wrong (not saying he is) I don't see how either of those products could cause any harm if used as directed.

[ebin]

+1 for 6500k

[gotboost15psi]

it you want awesome growth and awesome color....get 10000k bulb and supplement with actinics. Some have even used 6500k and supplement with actinics..problem solved.

[frankdontsurf]

6500k = most growth, but also equals butt ugly.

 

10k = good growth, better color

 

14k = marginal growth, much better color

 

20k = even less growth, but very awesome color

 

Bottom line, you got to decide if color or growth is more important. Most people compromise w/ 10k or 14k. I can assure you plenty of people get awesome growth and color from those Phoenix 14k bulbs.

 

 

Does this ^ still stand true?

[metrokat]

Mark Weiss has a acceleration product just for softies. I'm wondering, since I'm only currently propping schrooms, cords, zoos etc if I should give this one a try. Any word on this products?

It has a lot of phytoplankton and other particles. Any 'food' is good for corals, they just have to be the right particulate size for the corals to be able to eat it. In general Golden pearls larvae foods, NLS nutricell, TLF zooplan are good.

 

Old thread.

 

[BradVincent]

I never had awesome growth under 6500k Iwaki bulbs, and the best tanks seem to be using 20k. All things equal, I've found the bluer the light, the better the growth, at least when I was using Halides. Of course, if you factor in cost and longevity, 6500k Iwaki bulbs might still be better for a propagation only system.

[Scorched]

Might want to give this video a watch.

 

First video of hopefully a long series.

 

Paletta discusses a ton of different various information that people may find useful. PAR, Specturm, Kelvin, Halide, LED, Cost, Growth, Color etc

[SquishyFishy]

Thnx for that link, I learned more in 36 minutes of hearing Mike Paletta talk than I have read in 8 months....really power packed info, will be watching his series and looking to get even more confused about which system I want. Right now, I am all in over Dave's NanoBox, and in another month hope to be purchasing a unit from him...but you never know.