Lighting preferences- Ritteri

[clamgal]

I need to replace my MH bulb. I currently have a hamilton 400w 14k. I was thinking of going 20k. My pc bulbs are 1-blue and 1-1/2 actinic 1/2 white. I want more of the blue to make the colors pop.
If I go with the 20k would that be enough for my ritteri?
Also, is there a difference in brands?
Thanks, Adriana

[ErikH]

The nem will move if it is not! 400w should be plenty. There are major differences in bulbs! Go to www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting and you can see the differences between bulbs with your ballast. If that link doesn't work just google sanjay's lighting guide. Copius amounts of spectral analysis!

[Big_Pun]

yea theres a diff in par, and also in looks, some are more blue looking, the new elos 20k is very crisp looking not as blue as other bulbs, but in the end its up to the look you want

[OrionN]

I think many 20,000K are way too blue. I like 10,000K or the Pulserite 14000K (the cheap MH I got online) I use DE MH 250W

[kkiel02]

I am going to be trying 12k here pretty soon. I had 20k but I dont like my growth and the blue hue the tank has. If you dont have actinics 20k may be for you though....

[CoryDude]

Adriana,

I'll warn you that those 14K hamiltons are pretty close to most 20K bulbs anyways. I used those type bulbs for 2 years. When I switched to 250W I tried blue life's 20K bulb and it was actually whiter than the hamilton 14K's.

[OrionN]

The 14000K Puserite actually is great white color. Not at all blue like the 14000K Hamiltons (I used it in the long-long past.)

[CoryDude]

For double ended I use Phoenix 14K and they have a nice crisp blue with just a hint of white. They also have maintained their color and intensity after 9 months with very little shift in color.

[corruption]

For double ended I use Phoenix 14K and they have a nice crisp blue with just a hint of white. They also have maintained their color and intensity after 9 months with very little shift in color.

+1 -- I'm VERY happy with my 250w Phoenix 14k's I got. Very nice, crisp color, with great pop... and not too much blue :)

-Justin

[clamgal]

I just posted a long reply, but it my phone sucked
i will post later

[Salty]

FWIW, I run a 150 DE and I'm replacing the 14k SPS bulb for a 14k Phoenix. Better growth and color. Have read nothing but good about all of phoenix's lamps

[cowboy572]

Not to cut in here, but I got two Phoenix 14k bulbs for my Odysessa unit I am gutting out. Good info on the bulbs. Can't wait to get them in.