MH Bulb Spectrum . . .

BigAl07 · 08-29-2007, 01:34 PM

So I am about to "delve" into the realm of MH Bulbs (insert sounds of shock and gasping air here). I was reading last night where the fixture I am looking at has several different K ratings available for the same size and style of bulb. I have always thought that I would like the bluer end of the spectrum and just assumed that's also where you'd get the best coral growth. Then I saw in a recent post where

Quote:

Originally Posted by AQTCJAK

MH come in several Spectrum 6,500K being the yellowest, 10,000K next, 14,000K, the 20,000K which is really blue the same goes for growth fastest is the yellowest, bluest is the slowest

So I was wondering just HOW blue looking is the 20Kk bulb and also what are most people using who have corals and MH bulbs.

The fixture I am looking at has two 250w bulbs so I guess theoretically I could get one as 14Kk and one as 20Kk.

So what are you using and why?

reefman420 · 08-29-2007, 01:38 PM

i got two 175 watt hqi 10'000k it was in it when i bought it so ill prolly stick with it

blue_eyes53813 · 08-29-2007, 01:55 PM

Ive tried all kinds of spectrum of bulb and always go back to the 10k. 20ks were to blue and dark for me and I like the crisp white of the 10ks.

goldenmean · 08-29-2007, 02:00 PM

I have two 20K 250W mh.
I really like the blue tint but I have not had 10K or 14K to compare them with.
This is my new tank set up so right now Just have LR so we will see how the corals do.

AQTCJAK · 08-29-2007, 02:06 PM

Al,

This is a friends tank I am pretty sure he had the 20,000K MH on the system @ this time also he had 14,000K's as well

Dentoid · 08-29-2007, 04:13 PM

Personally I like the 10k because of the bright crisp white light they produce. However, it's a matter of preference. I you want your tank to look more like a deeper water tank then go with the 20k, if you want more of a shallower water look, go with the 10k. If you have ever dove to >30 feet, then you know what I am talking about.

The white light of the 10k shows off the colors of the specimens much better than 20k with its blue hue that filters out some colors, excentuates some colors, and drowns out other colors of the specimens.

Unless you specifically want that specialized, deep water look, you may want to consider the 10k.

BigAl07 · 08-29-2007, 04:17 PM

Thanks Scott.. that makes a LOT of sense.... Now I'm even more torn

I love that deep blue hue but I am going to be working hard on some very colorful corals and it would be a shame to have such vibrant and colorful corals to have the colors subdued or "filtered" due to the lights. I'll probably go with the 10K or 14K just to be safe. I could always experiment with some extra bulbs and just SEE what the difference really is on the tank. I'd imagine the exact corals, layout and such would play big into the final decision too.

Again thanks Scott.

Boomer · 08-29-2007, 05:16 PM

And the question is why such a high K temp ? There is really no need for anything over 10k, after that corals start to look artificial, as does the tank, unless you are into that. You need to look at PPDF first then W then K. Picking a bulb based K and W is a very poor way of choosing a bulb.

ScubaDrew · 08-29-2007, 05:22 PM

I solved this problem by getting a 10k 400w mh (i'm with dentoid - i like the crisp white sand) + 175w VHO atinic + 175w VHO super atinic. by going from any 1 of the 3 on, to a combination of 2 or all 3, I can really get a ton of different looks.. with just the atinic VHO on, the tank is VERY purple, zoos and coral cups fluoresce very well under this light. who knows what it will do in terms of growth...

Boomer · 08-29-2007, 05:32 PM

The XM 10000K is one of the best bulbs there is and my choice or the Iwasaki 6,500K 400W. Same for Sanjay

So heavy reading for you all

SANJAY's REEF AQUARIUMS

Dentoid · 08-29-2007, 05:36 PM

Thanks Boom!

This is really timely because I'm currently looking to replace my 10 month old bulbs. Couldn't decide between the XM's or the Aqualine AB's, which cost about 65% more than the XM's.

ScubaDrew · 08-29-2007, 05:38 PM

I've got the XM 400W 10K - loving it so far! Thanks for the sanjay link - add it to the list of reading material!

billyr98 · 08-29-2007, 05:43 PM

you should be careful with the par from XMs 10ks.. I bleached a lot of corals after running Hamilton 14ks.. They are a great lamp!!!! But very strong par...
I am running the Coralvue 12k REEFLUX, great mixture of color and growth

BigAl07 · 08-29-2007, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boomer

So heavy reading for you all

That's an understatement... WOW!! Thanks for the link buddy!!

Allen

Boomer · 08-29-2007, 07:23 PM

And yes, Billy is correct those XM 10K put out craps loads of light.

View Poll Results: Which Spectrum MH bulb do you use?
6500K	0	0%
10,000K	10	66.67%
14,000K	3	20.00%
20,000K	1	6.67%
Mixed between (note in thread)	1	6.67%
I don't know what I have....	0	0%
Voters: 15. You may not vote on this poll

08-29-2007, 01:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
reefman420 Elegance coral Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: minneapolis Posts: 1,085 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: MH Bulb Spectrum . . . i got two 175 watt hqi 10'000k it was in it when i bought it so ill prolly stick with it __________________ 155 oceanic bow front,20 long refuge packed with caluerpa and mangroves,40 gallon sump,175lbs LR,3x250 watt xm 10ks,aqua-c remora,and pro-clear 150 skimmers sailfin tang,kole tang,royal gramma,cinnimon clown,2xpink skunk clowns,six line wrasse,mandarin, 155 bow coral-orange montipora cap,superman monti cap,scripps green polyped staghorn,ORA pink poccilipora,ORA blue millipora,green slimer,yellow UK acro,pink birdsnest,armor of god zoas,various zoas and shrooms,hammer,frogspawn,clove polyps,favite,fancey toadstool,reg toadstool,yellow leather,purple leather,devils hand,2 types xenia,ricordea florida,ricordea yuma,kenya tree,galaxia,bubble coral,button polyps inverts are lots of snails and hermits,crocea clam,maxima clam and seabae anemone,rbta

08-29-2007, 01:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 7,180 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: MH Bulb Spectrum . . . Ive tried all kinds of spectrum of bulb and always go back to the 10k. 20ks were to blue and dark for me and I like the crisp white of the 10ks. __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

08-29-2007, 02:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
goldenmean Beautiful Katamari Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 4,341 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: MH Bulb Spectrum . . . I have two 20K 250W mh. I really like the blue tint but I have not had 10K or 14K to compare them with. This is my new tank set up so right now Just have LR so we will see how the corals do. __________________ A 55g link in the GoldenChain My 2nd QT-Picasso Clowns My 2nd-QT-Wrasse My Second Quarantine Tank 2 (+) Year Retrospective of a 12g Nano Jeff What You Think Upon Grows... Have a Smooth Day!

08-29-2007, 04:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dentoid Over Achiever Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 10,680 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: MH Bulb Spectrum . . . Personally I like the 10k because of the bright crisp white light they produce. However, it's a matter of preference. I you want your tank to look more like a deeper water tank then go with the 20k, if you want more of a shallower water look, go with the 10k. If you have ever dove to >30 feet, then you know what I am talking about. The white light of the 10k shows off the colors of the specimens much better than 20k with its blue hue that filters out some colors, excentuates some colors, and drowns out other colors of the specimens. Unless you specifically want that specialized, deep water look, you may want to consider the 10k. __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

08-29-2007, 05:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
Boomer Reef Sanctuary's Mr. Wizard Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,250 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: MH Bulb Spectrum . . . And the question is why such a high K temp ? There is really no need for anything over 10k, after that corals start to look artificial, as does the tank, unless you are into that. You need to look at PPDF first then W then K. Picking a bulb based K and W is a very poor way of choosing a bulb. __________________ Boomer Want to Talk Chemistry ! The Reef Chemistry Forum Want to See More ! The Coral Realm If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be. Last edited by Boomer : 08-29-2007 at 07:28 PM.

08-29-2007, 05:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
ScubaDrew Elegance coral Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Burlington, VT Posts: 1,081 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: MH Bulb Spectrum . . . I solved this problem by getting a 10k 400w mh (i'm with dentoid - i like the crisp white sand) + 175w VHO atinic + 175w VHO super atinic. by going from any 1 of the 3 on, to a combination of 2 or all 3, I can really get a ton of different looks.. with just the atinic VHO on, the tank is VERY purple, zoos and coral cups *fluoresce very* well under this light. who knows what it will do in terms of growth... __________________ www.NorthEastCoral.com My coral and supply website! STT2VT - Chronical

08-29-2007, 05:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
Boomer Reef Sanctuary's Mr. Wizard Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,250 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: MH Bulb Spectrum . . . The XM 10000K is one of the best bulbs there is and my choice or the Iwasaki 6,500K 400W. Same for Sanjay So heavy reading for you all SANJAY's REEF AQUARIUMS __________________ Boomer Want to Talk Chemistry ! The Reef Chemistry Forum Want to See More ! The Coral Realm If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be.

08-29-2007, 05:36 PM	#11 (permalink)
Dentoid Over Achiever Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 10,680 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: MH Bulb Spectrum . . . Thanks Boom! This is really timely because I'm currently looking to replace my 10 month old bulbs. Couldn't decide between the XM's or the Aqualine AB's, which cost about 65% more than the XM's. __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

08-29-2007, 05:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
ScubaDrew Elegance coral Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Burlington, VT Posts: 1,081 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: MH Bulb Spectrum . . . I've got the XM 400W 10K - loving it so far! Thanks for the sanjay link - add it to the list of reading material! __________________ www.NorthEastCoral.com My coral and supply website! STT2VT - Chronical

08-29-2007, 05:43 PM	#13 (permalink)
billyr98 Reefing Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 5,400 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: MH Bulb Spectrum . . . you should be careful with the par from XMs 10ks.. I bleached a lot of corals after running Hamilton 14ks.. They are a great lamp!!!! But very strong par... I am running the Coralvue 12k REEFLUX, great mixture of color and growth __________________ Billyr98 -=NJRC Treasurer=- My 450g Reef Tank ~~~ Its HERE!!!

08-29-2007, 07:23 PM	#15 (permalink)
Boomer Reef Sanctuary's Mr. Wizard Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,250 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: MH Bulb Spectrum . . . And yes, Billy is correct those XM 10K put out craps loads of light. __________________ Boomer Want to Talk Chemistry ! The Reef Chemistry Forum Want to See More ! The Coral Realm If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be.

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