Light confusion-help needed

i have 2 460nm actinics running during my cycle, in a week ill start with the day lights. But im not sure what bulbs to put in the 2 other slots.

In all i have 4 bulbs 2 460 actinics and 2 6700k days, could i run 3x actinics and 1 x 6700k or shoud i just go buy 2 new bulbs, maybe a 10k and a 12k or maybe a 14k...... i dunno im pretty confused, i wanna keep a mixed reef. also this is on my 55g tank.

 

I'd go with 12K or 14K. It's really a personal choice as to how blue you want your tank. The higher the K, the bluer the light. I'm going with 20K when I replace my halide bulbs.

Plus if I remember right, 6700K is the light spectrum at the water's surface and the higher Ks are more realistic to corals natural setting and they grow better in a bluer spectrum. I'm PRETTY sure about that.

 

you should def buy some new bulbs. What color depends on how much blue you want. If it was me, i would buy one 10K and one 12K. The 10 K will give corals the best growth, but it will be white. Combining it with a 12K or 14K would give you the more of a blue tinge. It really matters what you like. White, or blue tinged?

 

Thanx for all the input guys, ive been lookin all over online to find a place that sells them. If i were to get a 12k and a 14k where would i buy these, cant seem to find a good vender.

 

check out reefgeek.com. They have GREAT customer service and will stand behind their products.

 

I find that a mix of half 420nm actinics and 14000ks daylights give me great color and growth

 

Thanx packleader, do you know where i can buy these bulbs???

 

I think I read that tangster recommends 420nm actinics not 460nm, so you might want to consider replacing those in the future.

 

Definitely go with the new bulbs. Those 6700 are great for growing algae or plants in freshwater tanks.

 

What brand of fixture is it? Lamps?
I personally think that 6700k and an actinic bulb will have good PAR but not a good color, well at least in my eyes. Everyone likes their tank to look different.
I like blue tanks but I also want the most PAR from my lamps... so I settle with a little less blue than I would like.
ATI has quite a bit of PAR per bulb. Look into them when replacing, more PAR than most other bulbs, Giesemann is in a close second. BUT there is always new bulbs on the market and only time will tell if anyone else will pull ahead.

Back to your question....
As long as the fixture is good and the lamps are good spectrum is up to you, coral will grow....

Happy lighting!