10k bulbs

[Bob 1000]

Any 10k users out there??? Is supplementation a must with this spectrum to keep blues bright ???

 

[Lenny718]

Any 10k users out there??? Is supplementation a must with this spectrum to keep blues bright ???

Tobin my tank is running 3 250w 10k bulbs and I think the color is pretty good with a little supplementation.

 

[fishfreak1242]

I have 2x175w 10k bulbs, and I don't really like them. I think they are a little too white for me, especially if you don't have actinic supplements. I think a 12 or 14k bulb would be a perfect blend of blue and white.

 

[Bob 1000]

Thanks Lenny I didn't know that... I just switched over to Reeflux 10k's for the red's and yellow's and my whole tank looks pink and while I was on vacation all my corals browned out... I forgot to lessen the photo period from 12hrs to 8... I went from 1 400 watt bulb to 2 250watt bulbs on a rail... Now I'll have to wait a couple weeks to see what happens with the color..

 

[pecan2phat]

IMO, yes you do need actinics with a 10k bulb especially if you are keeping sps in the blue coloration category.
Never liked RF10ks, eveyone commented that they were pinkish like the UV 75/25 T5 bulb.

 

[jackson6745]

Tobin the 250w RF 10k look very pink compared to the 400w version. I guess they still didn't correct this.

 

[tosiek]

Try to swap out for other bulb manufacturers. I like the color with Ushio's alot, both the DE and SE versions 10k. Really white and give a nice white/blue glow with T5's supplimenting on the 250w. Once you get to the 12 or 14k versions your giving up coral growth and some coloration with bulb white/blueness.

But the T5's Dim down on their actinic after 2-3 months of use. Either that or the MH bulb just intensifies which i doubt. Either way ive seen VHO's run better for supplimentation or some really nice blue LED's. But your going to be happier with VHO's for actinic supplimentation. I picked up a VHO set for supplimentation on my new tank instead of T5's.

 

[Bob 1000]

Oh wow, thanks Rich and thank you too Warren.. I never thought about the 400 to 250m change.. I noticed how good they looked on another tank, but for got that theirs were 400's.. Okay I guess I will be switching to 12k's in 6 month's.. But for now this color sucks..

 

[Bob 1000]

Try to swap out for other bulb manufacturers. I like the color with Ushio's alot, both the DE and SE versions 10k. Really white and give a nice white/blue glow with T5's supplimenting on the 250w. Once you get to the 12 or 14k versions your giving up coral growth and some coloration with bulb white/blueness.

But the T5's Dim down on their actinic after 2-3 months of use. Either that or the MH bulb just intensifies which i doubt. Either way ive seen VHO's run better for supplimentation or some really nice blue LED's. But your going to be happier with VHO's for actinic supplimentation. I picked up a VHO set for supplimentation on my new tank instead of T5's.

Good info thanks, I will think about supplementation after I see if my colors come back strong in a few weeks..