[BigAl07]

Originally Posted by tbittner

ummmm, is it ok for me to call you Al? Or would you prefer Allen...

I get a little presumptuous sometimes.

Call me Al, Allen, Big Al and the ladies can call me Big HOT Al I don't care bro! I answer to just about anything as long as it's half way nice

Originally Posted by Dentoid

I think we all need a lesson in lighting! I was under the impression that it was the Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR) that was the important factor in determining an organisms zooxanthellae metabolism. The color temperature (K) was just the color of the light.

I was under the impression that the K value of the bulb doesn't really have anything to do with the zooxanthellae ability to photosynthesize. The color of the tank imparted by the K value is a personal preference rather than whether the zooxanthellae's host could withstand the color.

Personally, I don't like the higher K value lights because they filter out red, orange, yellow and green. High K value lights make a colorful tank look drab and blue. That's a deep water look.

Have I got it all wrong?

Scott I've always heard that "Lower K bulbs produce more growth" but higher K bulbs produce a more pleasing color for HUMAN eyes". I don't know how accurate that is but it's been noted several times that coral growth "seems" better in 6700K range. Maybe this needs more testing but I do know I like the "Bluer" look rather than the "Yellow" look of the 10K. I may try out a 12k, 13k, and maybe even higher just as an experiment.

Thanks for reading and all input is suggested