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lighting myths?


ghostface

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just read an article about kelvin rating of MH bulbs.

http://www.pets-warehouse.com/AquariumlitFaq.htm

one suggestion made was that different k bulbs produce the same amount of useful radiation for corals, and that for example 10k look brighter to us than 14 or 20 because our eyes are more sensitive to the red end of the light spectrum. does anyone know / have links to experiments on growth under different k bulbs? i was under the impression that whiter bulbs produced more useful light for corals...

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you could run a whole bunch of actinics and your corals would still grow, just doesn't look that great to us. seen great corals at 25 plus meters and the water is grey blue, and funny enough if you take a picture of something it looks total different then in real life because of all those colours suddenly showing.

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The light needed for photosysthesis is mostly red and another peak at more of a yellow I believe, so the higher the K value past red, the less light available for the corals' photosynthesis.

I think in the FAQ he was pointing out that what's bright to you might not be "bright" for photosynthesis, as opposed to saying "higher K ratings dont lower photosynthesis rates - its your perception thats lowered". (Which would be incorrect)

If that makes sense :D

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Article is ok, but the section on UV screens for MH lamps can be a bit dangerous if interpreted the wrong way.

No-one likes a trip to A&E, or killing all their livestock

the point was being made that some corals require certain levels of UV that would otherwise be blocked by a UV filter. In general you can get away without filters with SE bulbs but should use them for DE

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the point was being made that some corals require certain levels of UV that would otherwise be blocked by a UV filter

Couldn't agree more

In general you can get away without filters with SE bulbs but should use them for DE

Exactly - should use them for DE but the distinction between DE and SE is not made. I believe a novice could be left with the wrong impression.

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