Mh bulbs what color?

[reeferpueblo]

ok time 2 replace my mh bulbs well actually way past due. Anyway currently run 20k was thinking of trying another color was wondering if any one out there had any thoughts wanting a good balance may be 14k or 15k what do you guys think?

 

[jahmic]

What kind of ballast and MH fixture do you have (watts, SE/DE)? While I was researching bulbs there was a definite difference in the color rendered using a magnetic vs electronic ballast with certain bulbs, and I've read that the DE 150w radium 20k bulbs have a different color than the 20k 250w SE bulbs. All that being said, I've been really happy with the crisp color I'm getting out of my 150W phoenix 14k bulbs.

 

[ReefCheif]

How long have you been running 20K? Reason I ask is your corals may not like you too much if you switch the spectrum up.

 

[reeferpueblo]

been running 20k 2years now and I have 400 watt with both types of ballast

 

[jahmic]

Unfortunately I have no experience with the 400w bulbs...I've tried 3 different 150W bulbs on my current setup. I'm sure someone else will chime in though.

 

[ReefCheif]

I run 2 250w and 1 400w MH on my 180. all 20K, I personally dont like the look of the whiter lights, however SPS does like the whiter spectrum of the 16 and 14K bulbs. IMO I would stick with 20K.

 

[SAZAMA]

I love ushio 20k

 

[jda123]

Radium 20K for 400W SE, IMO.

 

[bigfoot610]

Color temp depends on what you want to get. For faster growth use 10k but corals go more brown and drab 14k xm still gives awsome growth and good colors 20k is slow growth but more eye popping colors

 

[Aquasump]

I ran 250w mogels with xm 10k bulbs in reef bright reflectors. Had to supplement the hell out of it with actinic t5s and it still was yellow but the coral grew like crazy! Apparently coral gets 90% of its growth from the 6500k spectrum. That's really yellow! So... Color or growth or a little of both? I think I'll go with 14k next.