MH ? 10, 15, or 20K ?

[inkblue]

What would you guYs recommend... :scratchch i know most wiLL probabLy say 10k, but why not 15K

 

[nanoreefer22]

Why not 14k's? I'm running the Hamiltons and I like em. They're great even without actinic supplementation.

 

[herman]

Can of worms man. It all depends on the color you prefer. Do you like it bluer or not?

 

[inkblue]

but i have actinics anyway... woN't that be to0 bLue :eek1:

 

[Deanos]

If you have actinics, I'd go with 10ks for growth.

 

[Dmitry]

I have actinics and 10000KMHs. Personally I don't like it. It's too yellow, even with the actinics on. I really liked 14000's icy white/blue tint. But my lights came with 10000s. When it's time to replace them I'll be going with the whiter/bluer ones.

 

[inkblue]

so 15K is "whiter" :scratchch i prefer whiter...

 

[Dmitry]

Yeah, 10000K is yellow-ish. 14000K (and I assume 15000, which is close) is whiter, with a slight blue tint. Aesthetically I find that to be much more pleasing. But I think corals prefer lower temp.

 

[DEEPWATER]

then go with reflux 10k you cant get any whiter then that for 10k ,,i have them ,they are white ,,,ask anyone who saw them ,,your gonna be to early to se what they look like ,but i just might turn them on a bit earlier for ya

 

[jackson6745]

Ink the truth is your corals will thrive under any K lighting as long water quality is kept very high. It all depends on what color you would like your tank. Many guys like the bluer bulbs because they make your coral pigments glow. I prefer 10K with a lot of actinics because you see a greater diversity of colors(everything doesnt look blue) and the tank looks brighter (more ripple effect)

 

[gegema]

Ink,

as a starter try this link.
http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm

best is to look at members tank and decide. just to many variables!!!

 

[gegema]

btw I use a 14k 250w de phoenix..like it alot.

 

[NYPDFrogman]

If you have actinics, I'd go with 10ks for growth.

second that!
if you had a very estabklished tank and was not concerned with growth the 14K hamiltons or the 15KXM bulb are a good choice for color.

Ink the truth is your corals will thrive under any K lighting as long water quality is kept very high. It all depends on what color you would like your tank. Many guys like the bluer bulbs because they make your coral pigments glow. I prefer 10K with a lot of actinics because you see a greater diversity of colors(everything doesnt look blue) and the tank looks brighter (more ripple effect)

Rich's tank looks great with his set up. I had the 15 K XM bulb 250W
I liked the color but the PAR is 171 compared to 521 on a 10K XM bulb.
rich is right though you see more of the color with a 10 K and actinic set up

it is a mater of preference

 

[inkblue]

I guEss i'll stick with 10K XMs... since I have an older ballast and i've read the XMs are pretty good with most ballasts...