Why do people run 6500K bulbs?

[Velcro]

I see a few SPS veterans on this board promoting 6500K bulbs for SPS growth/health. Isn't something like aquablue special much more bang for buck as far as PAR/PUR? My understanding is that all that green in the 6500K has no benefit to coral.

6500K:

ABS:

 

[S-t-r-e-t-c-h]

I vaguely remember hearing somewhere that 6500k bulbs have higher par readings than 10,000k, etc. If you're supplementing with T5 actinics, 6500k winds up with a more natural looking light. In the end, it's probably all preference...

 

[Midrats]

I used to run Iwasakis and VHOs years ago, like '90s years ago. I thought the 10K bulbs that were coming out at the time were too blue LOL. People still use them?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

We need green to see stuff well.

Also note the B R ratio. Looks like standard reef dosages.

If you pulled down the r y o ,it would be a higher color temp , but then blue dose would be the same.
The dose is measured in umol.

 

[Velcro]

I vaguely remember hearing somewhere that 6500k bulbs have higher par readings than 10,000k, etc. If you're supplementing with T5 actinics, 6500k winds up with a more natural looking light. In the end, it's probably all preference...

My Blue + and Coral+ bulbs have slightly more PAR than the 6500k when measuring with the par sensor directly on the bulb.

 

[Velcro]

We need green to see stuff well.

Also note the B R ratio. Looks like standard reef dosages.

If you pulled down the r y o ,it would be a higher color temp , but then blue dose would be the same.
The dose is measured in umol.

Yea, I know the green is there to see stuff well, but you can get plenty of green with ABS and coral plus bulbs.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I vaguely remember hearing somewhere that 6500k bulbs have higher par readings than 10,000k, etc. If you're supplementing with T5 actinics, 6500k winds up with a more natural looking light. In the end, it's probably all preference...

Par meters also measure for terrestrial plants. So add red y o and the par goes up on the meter.
PUR is more relative to the specific organism.

So I can make a high par lamp with very little blue for coral. Depending on how I mix it , it could be in the 32- 48 k range.

 

[Velcro]

Par meters also measure for terrestrial plants. So add red y o and the par goes up on the meter.
PUR is more relative to the specific organism.

So I can make a high par lamp with very little blue for coral. Depending on how I mix it , it could be in the 32- 48 k range.

Which, I think, strengthens my point. There's a TON of green in that bulb.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yea, I know the green is there to see stuff well, but you can get plenty of green with ABS and coral plus bulbs.

Just a different tool. Same result.
If I understand the question correctly.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Which, I think, strengthens my point. There's a TON of green in that bulb.

Yes there is. But without it a green coral won't really look green.
Red and blue with no green or magenta is a "pink" grow light I belive.

 

[S-t-r-e-t-c-h]

Par meters also measure for terrestrial plants. So add red y o and the par goes up on the meter.
PUR is more relative to the specific organism.

So I can make a high par lamp with very little blue for coral. Depending on how I mix it , it could be in the 32- 48 k range.

Not saying that's what I'd do. Just guessing why people would recommend it...

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Not saying that's what I'd do. Just guessing why people would recommend it...

No swat , just conversation. Million ways to skin a cat.

 

[Kayvon]

I saw some people recommending the Tropic. I threw one into my 8 bulb with 4 actinics and 3 blue+.

 

[Velcro]

I saw some people recommending the Tropic. I threw one into my 8 bulb with 4 actinics and 3 blue+.

How's that working out for you?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Diesel runs the tropic as his base color on his tanks , Then builds the spectrum peaks with blue bulbs or actinics.

 

[Kayvon]

It's been a week, so results are inconclusive lol

 

[Velcro]

Diesel runs the tropic as his base color on his tanks , Then builds the spectrum peaks with blue bulbs or actinics.

I thought he was one of the people advocating for them. @Diesel

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I thought he was one of the people advocating for them. @Diesel

Yup. And that controlled color mixing is why.
Build the base and then augment for PUR.
It's also better for visual color rendition. Reds are redder as now there is some to reflect back to you.
It's why I run my leds warm. Around "16k"

 

[Velcro]

Yup. And that controlled color mixing is why.
Build the base and then augment for PUR.
It's also better for visual color rendition. Reds are redder as now there is some to reflect back to you.
It's why I run my leds warm. Around "16k"

I'm currently running 5 blue+, 2 actinic, 1 coral+ and using kessils to adjust visual color temp.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I'm currently running 5 blue+, 2 actinic, 1 coral+ and using kessils to adjust visual color temp.

What a sweet set up.