6500k or 10000k...?

[andersnanoreef]

i have a FW planted tank that i want turn in to a nano with 2x25w 6500k lights. I read other articles and said that corals grow better on 6500k.DONT KNOW WHAT TO CHOOSE???

[franklypre]

yeah but the tank won't look great. You could do 1 6500k and some supplemental actinics or an LED strip for accent.

[reefer4ever]

planted tanks should have 6500K.

reef tanks should have 10000K.

thats what ive read here.

[andersnanoreef]

how much does those LED strip cost.

[ozzyvega]

k is just color temp like how white looking not intensity which is what matters 6500 will grow just fine but you might not like the look it looks yellow

[Amphiprion1]

Plants have a somewhat higher absorption in the red areas of the spectrum, so warmer spectra seem to work well. However, PAR is what you should be interested in. As long as PAR is sufficient, you should be in good shape. Warmer color temps will generally get better responses because they usually have higher PAR. That being said, I'm using a 10000K lamp with great results. It is also still fairly natural, since seagrasses will definitely be found at a depth that approximates 10000K. I wouldn't get a bluer lamp than that, however.

[Deleted User 6]

6500k is going to be horrifically yellow. do 10k at a min.

 

i'd mix in some bluer spectrum bulbs as well for better coloration.