Need help on spectrum choice

Hey guys,
I have learned SO MUCH since starting this hobby in 10/05. The one thing I am not too familiar with is the lighting. I currently have a Coralife Lunar Aqualight
(1x Actinic and 1x 10,000K, 2x 3/4W Blue LEDs) I have begun to acquire some corals (listed in my signature) but feel that the 10,000K might be too bright "white" and as I said, not sure what bulb I am after, I would prefer something a little less bright, that shows more of the actinics when they are both on together. I know due to my corals, I need to be concerned with providing enough light, especially since I just purchased some star polyps....but I have seen in aquariums/lfs/online photos some combo of actinic and white light that is not so extreme...its well lit, but still allows the glowing power of the actinics to show while both lights are on.

There are a few pics on this message board with what I'm looking for...

http://www.3reef.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/1185/cat/502

http://www.3reef.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/1479/cat/501

Would this be possible to achieve with my current PC fixture?

Sorry if I'm not clear on what I'm talking about...I just want a softer white light, perhaps white but in the blue or green spectrum....

Thanks for any incite..;D

 

I have not seen a pc bulb put out that type of light that you are referring too.
The actinics that you have will make the corals fluoress (glow )
I get the feeling that what you are saying is the 10k bulbs overpower the blue(ish) light of the actinics??
I do not believe you can achieve what you want with your current lighting fixture....
The 180 gallon tank that you showed in one of the links has 3 - 400 watt metal halides all with different color temps, 14k, 10k, and 20k. While the blue light is pleasing to our eyes they are not the best for encouraging growth in sps or some lps corals.

Jim

 

Yea, thats what I was attempting to get at......didn't think it would be possible unless I upgraded to MH, but thought I would try anyway. Since I obviously plan on upgrading from my 20g in the near future, I think Ill wait to invest that type of cash when I get a more reasonably sized tank.

I thought that might be a problem as far as the corals are concerned. Too bad!

Thanks anyway for your help.

Thanks again!

 

You are fortunate, because the corals you have don't demand strong lighting requirements, as they will survive under your current lighting. Read my thread under lighting to hopefully help you out.