10k, 14k, or 20k???

[merlin0883]

what's the difference in 10K, 14K, and 20K in metal halides in terms of how good the different colors are for coral? does they just differ in color, or is one better for coral than the others?

[apedroza]

For growing corals I would use the 10Ks with some kind of actinc supplement. As far as color the 14K and 20K are much better. 20K are really blue in color and wouldn't require any actinic supplement. I strted off with Ushio 10K in the beginning and got amazing growth, but the colors of the bulb was too yellow so I needed actinic supplements. I used 12K after I got the growth I wanted and am now up to 20Ks and the color is amazing.

[tony]

anthony nailed it, im a 12k fan myself

[Bill S]

So far, I'm very happy with my Helios 20Ks. Growth seems to be good too...

[sharkboy]

I use a combination of 14Ks and 10ks along with actinic supplementation...

[hobogato]

i prefer reeflux 12K and t5 actinics. have run 10K, 14K, 15K and 20K in the past.

[clone]

im with ace on the 12k reeflux im getting some moderate growth off of those and gives a nice crisp shimmer

[brewercm]

I'm using 14K and am seriously looking at going to the Reeflux 12K when I change my bulbs which needs to be done soon.

[joelb]

unless your an underwater farmer, i would use 20k lighting. the blue look brings out all the differant colors and paterns and makes the "display" look so much more pleasing, and thats why you have it right? plus i think the blue is much more soothing. plus your live stuff will still grow with 20ks.

[JimD]

10K + VHO actinics = great growth, great color.

[engwife36]

I have used XM 20K for years and love the color. I have always had SLOW growth. Until I just recently popped a bulb I was using SPS 10K's with VHO Actinics. The SPS 10K's had a nice crisp white color and I had some nice growth. I am currently running 15K's now and can not really tell any difference between them and the 20K's. On my new build I will be using Reeflux 12's.

[erikharrison]

I have the same color issues with the SouthPacificSunlight!

[merlin0883]

Thanks yall. I definitely prefer the color of the 20k's, but didn't know if it had adequate low-end spectra to keep sps and other light demanding corals alive. As long as they will most importantly LIVE and also grow some, then that's what I'll go with. So far, I just have pc's, but I'm moving soon and will upgrade after the tank settles back in. If anyone else has comments, keep them coming!

[Bill S]

I'm hoping by Sunday night to have some new pics, before and after, of my Helios. They've been running now about 45 days.

[engwife36]

I want to see.................

[hobogato]

I'm hoping by Sunday night to have some new pics, before and after, of my Helios. They've been running now about 45 days.

i knew i forgot something.... ill get those pics processed and posted tonight, sorry bill.

[dapettit]

Can you get Reeflux 12k 250W localy (Austin)?

[starfire]

I got my reeflux 12k 400w from kingfish. Might give them a call.

[dapettit]

Cool Thanks Andrew.

[JimD]

Also,
http://www.maast.org/images/banners/coralreefbanner.gif (http://maast.org/banners.php?op=click&bid=9) has the 250 watters in stock.

[Bill S]

Ace, it wasn't targeted at you... I want to re-arrange the tank, and then post new pix....

[stoneroller]

I've been running Phoenix 14k (250 DE) for several months. I think I am going back to 10ks for better zoanthid growth; I might consider the 12K reeflux. I have actinic supp. w/ T5s and PCs. Diversity rules!

[merlin0883]

I had thought about the diversity thing. Thought I could get 3 clamp-ons for my tank-- a 20k for the center and a 10 or 12k for each end, maybe run a t5 actinic strip across the front so as not to block the halide lights. I won't be getting huge pendants-- i only have a 55 gal, but 3 of the jbj viper 150 watts should be more than enough, right? Or can you have too much light?

[DrMark]

My aquarium started with two 400watt ushio 10K and actinics. I know that growth is good with the 10K, but felt it was too white.....too artificial. Couple of months ago, I switched to Hamilton 400watt 14K. I have been happy with the change. I am, however, interested in the 12Ks that have been mentioned.

[Bill S]

Mark, I switched from 400w Hamilton 14K to the Helios 20Ks, and I'm, so far, very happy with the switch.

[JimD]

Mark, I switched from 400w Hamilton 14K to the Helios 20Ks, and I'm, so far, very happy with the switch.

Got any pics of the Helios?

[matt]

There's a huge difference between the actual color of many 10k bulbs, same with 14k, same with 20k. As an example, the ushio 20k is exactly the same bulb as one of the Geisemann 14k bulbs. When manufacturers list the color temp of the bulb, there's no real standard. You can go to Sanjay Joshi's site where he has test many different MH bulbs on several ballasts and you'll get an idea.

The phoenix 14k (or is it 12k) bulbs are pretty high in PAR, and very blue in appearance. Most of the really blue bulbs are almost monochromatic, which means there is a very steep ****e in a very narrow wavelength band. To me, these bulbs have a nice blue color, but contrasts tend to get a little washed out. The nicest lighting overall that I've seen is a fairly white bulb, like the ushio or XM10ks, with good strong actinic support. I'm using the ushio 20k on my corner tank because I don't have an easy way to add actinics and the phoenix (as well as most 10k bulbs) are too high in intensity for my shallow tank.

[JimD]

"To me, these bulbs have a nice blue color, but contrasts tend to get a little washed out."

I couldnt agree more!