Help with lighting decision...

[Derek B]

I currently have 2 20K XM's over my 65g. I am going to add 2 110 watt VHO's as soon as I make a decision on the bulbs I want, which is what I want the groups input on ... so for the best coral coloration, what Corallife bulb combo should I add ...

- 2 Actinics

- 1 Actinic and 1 50/50

- 1 Actinic and 1 10K

- 1 Actinic and 1 65K

????????????

[wkopplin]

Those XM's are already pretty blue. The 10K added to the mix might look brighter

[Derek B]

I don't care what they look like to me, I want optimal conditions to bring out as many colors as I can in my corals.

The XM's rate in at about 14K, so I definitely need at least 1 Actinic, maybe 2, just wanted to see what others thought I should do for the second bulb.

[Instar]

The trouble with making the bulbs different is that one is on the back (normally) and the other is on the front. Therefore, one side of your corals will have one kind of light and the other side the different one and a minumum of reflection from surrounding area for the other. Will you turn your corals half way thru the day to give them the mix or will they end up one color on one side and another on the other side? And then, the big question: Will they grow odd because the light is different on different sides? Like a shadow that should be above and below, except this shadow will be created by different lights on one side from the other. Just a thought...