What color light drives growth?

Bud(Floyd R. turbo) had a good post about this a few weeks back. Maybe he could chime in, but he was saying from a recent study from some scientist that blues really drive growth more than whites. Again this was a study, and I don't know much about the topic at hand. Maybe someone with a little more knowledge on the subject could give you a hand. Maybe google, and do some research, might find something interesting and worth while, and if you do please share /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif

 

I think you're referring to this article: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/light-emitting-diode-led-and-light-emitting-plasma-lep-found-to-be-highly-suitable-for-coral-aquaculture

It says blue LEDs "may" grow corals as well as or better than white LEDs. It's a very generic and short study, so unless there's more research, take it with a grain of salt. To my knowledge, this is only the case with LEDs, it doesn't work the same as comparing white and blue lighting in other forms(pc, halide, t5, ect.).

Typically, 6,500k light is better for growth than 20,000K light...

 

Thanks Adam!

 

i would go all 10k and add a blue stunner strip... just my 2 cents

 

Since no one actually answered the question yet....No, blue doesn't drive growth for the majority of bulbs, blue is usually used to bring out a more vibrant coral in the coral. Whites around 6500 are the best for growing in most bulbs but also makes corals drab and brown. So realistically your not going to hurt anything by changing the color of your bulbs, now if you upgrade your lighting anytime in the future....you should ask for proper acclimating procedures or bad things could happen.

 

Put in a DIY LED fixture. I put one in my biocube 29 and its amazing.

 

Some t5 blue bulbs put out a lot of usable par for good growth such as ATI blue+

 

I have had a 24 gallon nano cube, a biocube 14 and now the bio 29. The 24 had a medal hay light in it and had really good growth but the color just really wan't there. The 14 had the 3 new stock bulbs and i really didn't have much growth out of it. I put in the DIY LED's in my 29 and i am already seeing the growth. I don't know what you are using for filtration but i would also look into the intank media baskets. I love mine. I don't know where you are located but if you are interested in coming and taking a look you are more than welcome to. Im located in DSM.

 

It really depends on the output of the bulbs. Typically the whiter bulbs have a higer PAR output. Though there are a few 14k metal halide bulbs that have higer PAR amounts than some of the 10k bulbs. Like Jason said, you would want to be careful if you increase the brightness/strength of your lighting or you will bleach the corals. It's similar to a person getting sunburn.

The actinics do make the corals more colorful over time so I would suggest you still use actinics as well.

 

Here are some great articals to shed some LIGHT on the subject.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/12/aafeature1
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/5/aafeature
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2004/6/aafeature
http://coralmagazine.coverleaf.com/coral/20110910#pg43

 

This is a good artical on LEDS.
http://coralmagazine.coverleaf.com/...10910#pg43

 

Just buy Aqua Illuminations Sol Blues and you're set. ACC sells em. You won't be disappointed! I got 5!
They sell a "Nano" version too that would be perfect for your cube!