metal halide color rendition questions

[jumpincactus]

My system is currently using 2-250 watt 10,000 K MH and two blue actinics. While I am somewhat happy with the intensity I am not so happy with the coloration of my corals.
I guess what I would like is some input from others that have been around a while(old salts) hint hint, share about the color differences in the variuos Kelvin ratings on the MH on the market. I know this is a subjective question as there are many diff mnfgrs and color ratings. My corals are colored up well but seem to lack the colors I see in others tanks.

Anyone here been down both roads as far as Kelvin ratings? Like have anyone used all the variuos 6500,10,000 12,000 20,000. Tell me about what rating you finally stuck with and why? I am considering trying some different types but would rather get some input rahter than purchasing bulbs I amy not be happy with. Maybe hearing your expereinces will help .

Also, if I decide to go with a higher rating like 15,000 or 20,000 as long as they are 250 watt which is what my Icecaps push, can I step up to higher K ratings with the same wattage?

Thanx

 

[Anonymous]

>...can I step up to higher K ratings with the same wattage?

As long as the wattage is the same, you can use any bulb with different kelvin rating.

 

[Anonymous]

What do you not like about the color? To blue? To yellow? Even tho the buld is a 10kk it way be a little more blue or yellow manufacturer to manufacturer and ballast to ballast. Overall as you increase the color temp the PAR of the bulb decreases.

I have only used the XM10kk on a coravue e-ballast. I liked the results. I am going to give the reeflux 10kk a try once my tank is ready.

 

[Anonymous]

Depends on what you're keeping as well. The color on some corals may shift when you change the temp of your bulbs. Plus, if you have anything similar to me (lower light) then you can use 20k bulbs without worrying about growth.

Peace,

Chip

 

[Meloco14]

Lighting is very difficult to express opinions on because so much of it has to do with personal taste, and there are so many different combinations that can affect the look of the tank. As Wazzel mentioned, same K ratings will differ from brand to brand, and even 2 bulbs of the same K rating and same brand will look different on different ballasts. Also, the different color corals will look different under different spectrums of light. The clarity of your water also makes a difference. So make sure you take this all into consideration. I run 250DE bulbs on ice cap ballasts like you. I first had coralvue 20,000K bulbs. I liked the color a lot, but they were my first halides and I had nothing to compare them to. I had one of the bulbs go out prematurely so I replaced it with a Hamilton 14K. It was definitely a whiter look, and pretty decent. Once I got more SPS corals in my tank I was looking for more growth so I wanted to up the PAR. I don't run actinics, so instead of dropping down to 10,000K bulbs I went with the Phoenix 14,000K. These bulbs are above an beyond the Hamiltons, IMO. Much brighter, and a cleaner look in the tank. To my eyes they were bluer than the hamiltons, yet brighter, so it was perfect for me. I would recommend these to anyone without actinics. Since you have actinics, you may like these if you want a bluer look, otherwise I would stick to a 10,000K bulb. The other thing I just thought of is that sometimes the actinic bulbs you run can greatly effect the look of your corals. The actinics are what make corals fluoresce and so different bulbs, wattages, or types of bulb do make a difference. You may want to try different actinics and see if you notice any changes. HTH

 

[jumpincactus]

Thanks all appreciate the input