10,000K MH color and growth compared to 20,000K MH

[DustinWayman]

Hey everyone, well, I am finally making the jump up to MH lighting on my 18 Gallon High. I am going to be adding 250 Watts of MH on it and I cant decide what bulb to get. I would like maximum color as well as maximum growth. I love the 20,000K's, but how is the growth on them? Do they tame down in blue as well? I will not be supplimenting with Atianics, either. How about the 10,000K, how do they look without Atianics on at the same time. I would like to be able to grow/keep healthy just about anything on this setup. I just want to make the right purchase the first time. I have PC's on it now and I just want more. I appreciate ANY help you all can give me!

Thanks!
~Dustin Wayman

[ratboy]

When I go metal halide someday Im going to use HQI. The colors and intensity is incredible. If you are going to build a hood Hammer may still have his DIY HQI setup. If not I would go w/ icecap electronic ballasts. I dont know anyone personally that has one but icecap stands behind their stuff and will replace or fix any ballasts that develop problems - even after 5 years!
-Erik

[DeletedAccount]

I got a PFO Mini 250W HQI PEndant System with a 10K DE bulb for my 29. I use no other light supplementation any more (MH melted my casing for the Actinic support and have not replaced it). This light has great color without support. I also like the narrow path that the light has. It covers my entire 29g excellently! I have seen some pendants that have a more spreading light, which is excellent for a larger tank, but not what I wanted for the small tank I was lighting.

Good luck! This is a hard choice to make! Way too many options out there!

[matt]

Hey Dustin;

Is an 18 high the same footprint as a 10 gal? Or is it like a 15 (24"x12") only a little higher? I'm not sure it matters, because either way, I'd second the mini-pendent HQI suggestions. I'd probably get a 70W if I were you; definitely no more than a 150. If your tank is 14" deep, absolutely go for the 70W. A 250W mogul base lamp on such a small tank will give you seafood chowder, I'm afraid. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's a lot of heat, and the bulb and reflector will be about as large as the entire top of your tank.

As far as color goes, there's 10k and then there's 10k. The ushios are a bright white, don't know about AB, sunburst and such are much bluer with less intensity. For DE bulbs (for the HQI mini) I don't know who's making what, but I've never heard a complaint about the ushio DE bulb.

If you buy a 70W mini and don't like it, I'd consider buying it from you for my 10 gal nano.

HTH
Matt

[DustinWayman]

Matt, The 18 gallon has the same print as a 10 gallon, just taller. Yes, it is a lot of light for such a small tank, but as the tank is so deep I decided to go with the 250. This topic has been discussed on Reef central and Nano Reef a lot and with proper ventalation, everything should be okay. The lamp will be almost 11 inches off of the water as well. There is even guys out there with incredible 7 gallon mini bows with 175's on em! It's crazy, but they are beautiful. Also, if I buy the 250 and I want a larger tank one day, I can always transfer it.

Thanks again
~Dust

[matt]

Dustin;

I'm pretty sure there are some online articles comparing the spectral output of various MH bulbs by Sanjay Joshi. I have an old one in an issue of Marine Fish and Reef that John Moffet gave me before he left town. Anyhow, I bet all the info is online in Advancedaquarist.com or reefkeeping mag. He's really thorough about describing the relative outputs and color of these bulbs. Might help you select a bulb.

Matt

[Charley]

Dustin;

I'm pretty sure there are some online articles comparing the spectral output of various MH bulbs by Sanjay Joshi. I have an old one in an issue of Marine Fish and Reef that John Moffet gave me before he left town. Anyhow, I bet all the info is online in Advancedaquarist.com or reefkeeping mag. He's really thorough about describing the relative outputs and color of these bulbs. Might help you select a bulb.

Matt

Matt,

I wonder if this might be the article you are speaking of:

http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1999/jan/features/2/

Charley