please help

[rabadanmarco]

i need to get a neh hqi bulb but do nt know what Kelvin rating to get.

10k
12k
14k
15k

i know the higher the number the bluer it is but is 15 k too blue.

if you guys could post a picture of what they look like without actinics that would be sweet.

[corruption]

Tough call -- its all about personal tastes... Also -- kelvin rating isn't a fair way to judge what you're going to get, its a guess at best... Every brand has a different appearance to their color. I'm running Phoenix 14k's, and I'm quite fond of them -- very crisp white light, but good fluorescence from corals. Reeflux 12k's have a huge following -- anything 20k is VERY blue (think mild actinics)... Search for Sanjay's site of Metal Halide reviews.. he's got average PAR ratings and great explanations of what to expect -- probably be your best bet without just checking out lights in person..

-Justin

[Salty]

There are the same actinics on in each of these pics, so the difference you see is all HQI.

SPS Blue Life 14k 150 watt, ~2 months old.


Phoenix 14k 150 watt, ~1 month old.


Without Actinics the SPS is much too yellow for my taste, the Phoenix presents much more crisp white. Actinic support pushes it into the blue look that my tank has.

[Mr Cob]

Single ended 250mh x2.....

With 1 month old bulb - 250w MH 10k Hamilton: (don't have a FTS with this bulb)


With new bulb - 250w MH 14k: ( LSE - Light Spectrum Enterprise bulbs)


With 1 month old bulb - 250w MH 20k XM:



I MISS the 20k bulbs....the corals really popped...but they grow faster with the current 14k bulb I'm using. The 10k was way too yellow for me....and I don't have much room for actinic.

[Big_Pun]

iam part of the reeflux 12k following , but ive been curious on the elos spectra chrome 20k, from the pics ive seen its not as blue as the others but at $130 a bulb kinda pricey. ill be home all day if you want to swing by and see it in person.

[BIGBIRD123]

With 1-250w Reeflux 12k and 420nm & 460 actinics nm, I get 1/4" a month growth and love the color. My Purple-heart Zoas have gone from 20 polyps to 40 since Jan.

[BIGBIRD123]

There is a lot more crispness with the Phoenix...

There are the same actinics on in each of these pics, so the difference you see is all HQI.

SPS Blue Life 14k 150 watt, ~2 months old.


Phoenix 14k 150 watt, ~1 month old.


Without Actinics the SPS is much too yellow for my taste, the Phoenix presents much more crisp white. Actinic support pushes it into the blue look that my tank has.

[greatwhite@AlamoAquatics]

yeah thats crispy...lol... i think im hungary...

[Salty]

So could we call your 20k's extra crispy???? I think I'm hungry now too.

[txg8gxp]

hahaha, thats just funny.

yeah thats crispy...lol... i think im hungary...

So could we call your 20k's extra crispy???? I think I'm hungry now too.