10k? 14k? 20k? help!!

docjal · 05-01-2008, 09:16 AM

I have a 125 gal reef tank and am running three 250w ocean lights over my setup with no other supplemental lighting it has been a little over a year with my current bulbs 14k pheonix I don't see any visible sign of the lights fading but I'm sure they are any one have any recomidations for a suitable replacement bulb and color temp that will make my corals pop and not need any supplemental lighting

blue_eyes53813 · 05-01-2008, 09:56 AM

Usually the 14k-20k range makes the colors pop. Lighting spectrum is a personal preference . I have used 20k and they are to dark for my liking but some love it. A lfs that I visit uses all 20k bulbs and their tanks are outstanding looking. Maybe next time you could try 20k or MAYBE borrow someones 20k and put them in your lighting for a short time to see if you like them...

Frankie · 05-01-2008, 11:06 AM

I really like the 12k reeflux i am using this time. I have to replace soon and am considering the 13k mega's.

AQTCJAK · 05-01-2008, 11:10 AM

20K will give you the most pop because of the color temp

vdituri · 05-01-2008, 04:00 PM

I have 14K, but am planning on going up to the 20k soon.

brooks93 · 05-01-2008, 06:40 PM

I been trying to figure this out too.

is it better to mix match them for growth and health of corals?

I have read the 15k is the best of both worlds.

lcstorc · 05-01-2008, 07:29 PM

Not only does the kelvin rating make a difference but the brand does as well. This of course makes the decision even more difficult.

vdituri · 05-01-2008, 07:35 PM

I was in the same quandry when I started.
That's why I went with 14k. Down the middle. I've enjoyed it very much.
Would like to try the 20k. I hear your get better color out of the corals.

The lower K's get you better growth, but are more yellow and may need some blue actinics to help improve the visual asthetics. The higher K's get your better color.

Not an expert by any stretch of the imagination though. lol

vdituri · 05-01-2008, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcstorc

Not only does the kelvin rating make a difference but the brand does as well. This of course makes the decision even more difficult.

After this batch I may try another brand. I've been using the Hamilton single end mogul base 175W MH's 2 of them. Very pleased with them.

At $60+ per bulb I'm going to experiment very slowly. lol

sebastian · 05-01-2008, 07:42 PM

i had 20k before and it was to...blueish for me

...now i have 14k Hamiltons...perfect..even corals are growing better

BigAl07 · 05-01-2008, 09:34 PM

I'm due for a "bulb change" and I'm thinking about doing something in the 14K range. I'm glad to have stumbled on this one.

kathywithbirds · 05-01-2008, 10:20 PM

so what's the 10K good for?

Frankie · 05-01-2008, 10:35 PM

Growth.

msbdiving · 05-02-2008, 02:02 AM

I use the 12k reeflux also and have been happy with it. I was still thinking about checking out the 15k xm.

Wolfgang8810 · 05-02-2008, 02:28 AM

im a 14k man right now but i may go down in the spectrum and add a couple actinic to the top of my tank. It would boost my overall WPG and presumable help with growth.

05-01-2008, 09:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
docjal Bryozoan Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: vermont Posts: 40 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	10k? 14k? 20k? help!! I have a 125 gal reef tank and am running three 250w ocean lights over my setup with no other supplemental lighting it has been a little over a year with my current bulbs 14k pheonix I don't see any visible sign of the lights fading but I'm sure they are any one have any recomidations for a suitable replacement bulb and color temp that will make my corals pop and not need any supplemental lighting

05-01-2008, 09:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 6,927 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 10k? 14k? 20k? help!! Usually the 14k-20k range makes the colors pop. Lighting spectrum is a personal preference . I have used 20k and they are to dark for my liking but some love it. A lfs that I visit uses all 20k bulbs and their tanks are outstanding looking. Maybe next time you could try 20k or MAYBE borrow someones 20k and put them in your lighting for a short time to see if you like them... __________________ 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

05-01-2008, 11:06 AM	#3 (permalink)
Frankie Angel Girl's Daddy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The End Of The World Posts: 8,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 10k? 14k? 20k? help!! I really like the 12k reeflux i am using this time. I have to replace soon and am considering the 13k mega's. __________________ If we ignore the environment maybe it will just go away....

05-01-2008, 11:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
AQTCJAK Tiger Shark Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,224 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 10k? 14k? 20k? help!! 20K will give you the most pop because of the color temp __________________ A Wiseman once said build a stage add a pole & they will dance - Jack 2007 www.aquaticaggression.com Projects & Chronicels http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...car-buffs.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nts-tanks.html

05-01-2008, 04:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 5,772 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 10k? 14k? 20k? help!! I have 14K, but am planning on going up to the 20k soon. __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

05-01-2008, 06:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
brooks93 Cabbage Leather Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 363 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 10k? 14k? 20k? help!! I been trying to figure this out too. is it better to mix match them for growth and health of corals? I have read the 15k is the best of both worlds. __________________ Your not done until your bank says you are. My 90 build My 210 build

05-01-2008, 07:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,940 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 10k? 14k? 20k? help!! Not only does the kelvin rating make a difference but the brand does as well. This of course makes the decision even more difficult. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

05-01-2008, 07:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 5,772 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 10k? 14k? 20k? help!! I was in the same quandry when I started. That's why I went with 14k. Down the middle. I've enjoyed it very much. Would like to try the 20k. I hear your get better color out of the corals. The lower K's get you better growth, but are more yellow and may need some blue actinics to help improve the visual asthetics. The higher K's get your better color. Not an expert by any stretch of the imagination though. lol __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

05-01-2008, 07:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
sebastian Sea Pen Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: lake zurich, il Posts: 344 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 10k? 14k? 20k? help!! i had 20k before and it was to...blueish for me ...now i have 14k Hamiltons...perfect..even corals are growing better __________________ Sebastian member of CMAS 125G AGA + 30G sump (home made) 500W MH + 260W PC light Wave 2K (4,000 g/h), mag-drive 12 (1,000 g/h) Euro reef skimmer Hammer corals, zoo's, green star polyps, neon green button polyps, blue acro, green staghorn, frogspan, leathers, xenias, 100's mashrooms, ricordias, fungias, green oxypora, neon green hydropora, snake polyps, brown Caribbean zoanthid (palythoa carribaeorum) regal tang, yellow tang, six line wrasse, cleaner wrasse, (2) lyretail anthias, eibli angel, ocellaris clown

05-01-2008, 09:34 PM	#11 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 12,799 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 10k? 14k? 20k? help!! I'm due for a "bulb change" and I'm thinking about doing something in the 14K range. I'm glad to have stumbled on this one. __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. >((((º> Nitrate (NO3) reduction is directly proportional to percentage of Water Change. Allen's home-made formula...(-NO3=WC%) This means if you change 50% of your total water volume (That's EVERYTHING) you'll get a net reduction of (NO3) somewhere around 50%. Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!! Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube Now in STORAGE and Dry-Docked BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef

05-01-2008, 10:20 PM	#12 (permalink)
kathywithbirds Social Darwinism victim Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Hood, NJ Posts: 5,798 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 10k? 14k? 20k? help!! so what's the 10K good for? __________________ (\_/) (\__/) ( . .) (^.^) (")(") (> <) Bunny and Bunnina have worked things out. Bunny was mistaken after all, Bunnina was not having an affair. "Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials." ~Lin Yutang

05-01-2008, 10:35 PM	#13 (permalink)
Frankie Angel Girl's Daddy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The End Of The World Posts: 8,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 10k? 14k? 20k? help!! Growth. __________________ If we ignore the environment maybe it will just go away....

05-02-2008, 02:02 AM	#14 (permalink)
msbdiving Ricordea Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 193 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 10k? 14k? 20k? help!! I use the 12k reeflux also and have been happy with it. I was still thinking about checking out the 15k xm.

05-02-2008, 02:28 AM	#15 (permalink)
Wolfgang8810 Achilles Tang Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 816 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 10k? 14k? 20k? help!! im a 14k man right now but i may go down in the spectrum and add a couple actinic to the top of my tank. It would boost my overall WPG and presumable help with growth. __________________ I love fish! Fish.. fish.. fish!

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