Propagation Tank

[EmperorA]

So a bunch of the corals from my main tank were getting a little large and I decided to take some pieces and start up a small propagation tank. It's been running for about a month now and has one inhabitant apercula clown. I have a 175W MH with a 14000K bulb in it. I have a 10000K also but I wasn't sure which would be better to run as i only have the one fixture to use and another strip light just wouldn't fit on top of the tank. Here are some pictures of what it looks like. The blue spectrum from the lamp kinda messes with the colors.

[FishinInTheDark]

Nice, clean start there! Good luck!

[Doctor_Reef]

Sweet!!! :thumbsup:

[specsgirl]

mmmm..Nice!

[icereefer]

Looking good.
Myself I use a 10k and actinic suppliments.

[newtofish]

Somebody jump in if I am wrong but....I thought that most Atnics are just for us to look at, in a prop tank for the best grow wouldn't you want something lower like around 6,700K for max growth.
I can understand if we are going to have a display/prop tank but just for grow out the the closer to 6K the better. Right?

[FishinInTheDark]

It depends on how much of a hurry you're in. 6700K bulbs will give you faster growth, and browner corals. Actinics result in slower growth, but better coloration. Both together offer a happy medium.

[EmperorA]

If you could only use one bulb on your corals, would you go with a 5500K, 10000K, or 14000K??

[gman0526]

Richard and Conni are both right. Personally I would go with 10K , this should give you a good white look, not that hideous yellow lower spectrum bulbs give, and should provide good growth all together. FWIW I'm looking to change my main tank bulbs to 175 10K XM, no supplementation.

[newtofish]

OK that makes sense. I run 10K on my display and a 6700K on my refuge. When I do frag something I put it in my fuge and they seem to heal over and grow nicely.

[icereefer]

Yes the 10k XM is a great growth bulb I just like the Coralvue, Reeflux 10k because useing the electronic Icecap ballast. the reeflux bulb is suppose to be a true 10k bulb. and I love how crisp white that bulb is, I used the 10k XM and it was to yellow to my eye.
and to me I seen no different growth between bulbs.
and there again to it depends on the ballast you use to, how that bulb will preform.
Jim

[specsgirl]

I too like the 10k XM and it does a great job in the par studies. I am currently running 20k XM's over my sps tank and love the growth and color.

[newtofish]

I am close to 85% color blind, so I do not normally see the "yellowing" of the water other people see. I just know that the "Blue" really stands out to me so I want a "Whiter" looking tank.
Did that make any sense?

[bboyaerok]

use the 10k
should, wait no"will" give you better growth
6700k is too yellow

[Condiman]

I like the setup I think I may do someting similar with mine in the future