power compacts

[315hottuna61]

i have four 36" power compacts ( two actinics and two daylight). the actinics just don't allow the few corals i have to " pop". All lights are 10k. Biff mentioned that she prefers 14k - will that give the corals a better "glow"? Thanks

 

[Chain]

The higher k bulbs give off a more blue wavelength of light. So 20k would be more blue then 14k which would be more blue then 10k. This is just a rough estimate as the ballast and the bulb manufacturer has alot to do with the output range. A 14k bulb should give your corals more pop, as it should contain a more blue light Vs. the 10k.

 

[Bifferwine]

You say you have two actinics and two daylights -- but all bulbs are 10K? That's all daylight, not half and half. Switch out two of the bulbs for 20K or 14K bulbs, and leave the other two as 10Ks. That's how lights are usually set up. If all your bulbs are 10K bulbs, then your tank will look brown/yellow.