I feel like light quality and spectrum are getting a little bit confused here.
Homer is partially correct, ideal color temp for GROWTH and only GROWTH is around 5,700k - 5,900k for SPS and other shallow water corals. The idea being that you want to emulate nature as closely as possible. However as this guy is new, and probably not trying to keep SPS, you want your color temp to get closer to the blue end around say, 14000k. The further the light penetrates water, the higher the Kelvins.
However, are we all growing and fragging corals for the sake of growing and fragging them? No, that's why people use bluer bulbs. Your corals may not grow as quickly, but who wants a giant colony that looks like brown poop because you don't get your neon colors out of a 5700k bulb?
As far as cost vs effect, plain florescent bulbs meant for a room or warehouse aren't manufactured with the intention of maintaining the same frequency at all times, they're manufactured with the intention of lighting a room. Aquarium bulbs are made for stability, so please use a quality brand aquarium bulb no matter the kelvins.
Homer is partially correct, ideal color temp for GROWTH and only GROWTH is around 5,700k - 5,900k for SPS and other shallow water corals. The idea being that you want to emulate nature as closely as possible. However as this guy is new, and probably not trying to keep SPS, you want your color temp to get closer to the blue end around say, 14000k. The further the light penetrates water, the higher the Kelvins.
However, are we all growing and fragging corals for the sake of growing and fragging them? No, that's why people use bluer bulbs. Your corals may not grow as quickly, but who wants a giant colony that looks like brown poop because you don't get your neon colors out of a 5700k bulb?
As far as cost vs effect, plain florescent bulbs meant for a room or warehouse aren't manufactured with the intention of maintaining the same frequency at all times, they're manufactured with the intention of lighting a room. Aquarium bulbs are made for stability, so please use a quality brand aquarium bulb no matter the kelvins.