which mh bulbs for looks only factor?

[bhb1034]

ive gotten a good deal on metal halide set up and i plan to put it on my 220g fowlr. it will be three 175w bulbs and im not sure which bulbs to get, 10k, 14k, or 20k. i know all companies are different, but these will be south pacific sunlight. my tank isnt going to have any corals so photosynthetic quality is not much of a consideration. just looks, i like the bluer looks of the 20k's but dont want to drown out the colors of my fish with too much blue. i also have 100w of standard lighting that i can put actinic bulbs in if i need to. any suggestions?

 

[Anonymous]

5500 K=Yellow

6500 K=Yellow-Green

10000 K=White(sometimes slightly yellow or blue)

13000, 14000, @ 15000 K=Blue white

20000 K=Blue

10K will show really good fish color. Many swear by 14K to show any flourescence.

 

[Anonymous]

Just for looks and a stand alone MH I would probably choose something in the 12,000k to 14,000k range.

 

[Anonymous]

if no corals why bother with 3 metal halides? Sounds like overkill for lighting.. but for your looks, I highly recommend 14kK bulbs.

 

[Chemical_Whore]

I love my 14k's they looked great, I have seen the 12k and 20k right next to them and for the lighting and look, the 14k's are the way to go.