10k or 14k
- Thread starter gearow
- Start date
theatrus
100-mile-commuter
Not really true at all, unless you're talking about the XM15k.
Take a look at the par numbers here:http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm
I wanted to go with 14k because I enjoy the softer tone. But all the Acro's I have bought have shown up somewhat bleached or pale only to color up with beautiful intense colors.
A coral that would show up like this:
Within a month looked like this: (Same species, different coral, both looked the same when I recieved them)
So, I stuck with the 10K's. I'm reluctant to change something that seems to be working so well.
Mike
A coral that would show up like this:
Within a month looked like this: (Same species, different coral, both looked the same when I recieved them)
So, I stuck with the 10K's. I'm reluctant to change something that seems to be working so well.
Mike
phishlet
Premium Member
The AB lamp is a great 10k lamp. But, sorry, it certainly doesn't have the blue that the other 14k lamps being discussed here have. Don't get me wrong, its a nice lamp. I've used them on my 125 for years. I just wanted to clarify that it is a white lamp in appearance like other 10k lamps and not overly blue at all.
King-Kong
New member
Sorry, but this is just wrong. Take a trip over to the SPS subforum and look at how many successful tanks are using 14k or 20k 250 SE bulbs
As for me, I run Ushio 14k (a 10k bulb by most standards) and so far am enjoying it. Changed over from the Ushio 10k and plan to stick w/ their 14k.
Agree too. I use the Ushio 14k 250 hqi and love it. Check out my pics:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=7948116#post7948116
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=7948116#post7948116
Zoom
Premium Member
I didn't do to well with my SPS with the Hamilton 14K SE bulbs even using them with the IC ballast they suppose to be the most par of the 14K bulb when using the IC ballast. I'm back to 10K XM 250W se.
Now if i had a 250w hqi ballast ,or 250w DE bulbs ,or 400w SE, i will run the 14K or 20K bulbs i like the color of my tank but my SPS did not.
Now if i had a 250w hqi ballast ,or 250w DE bulbs ,or 400w SE, i will run the 14K or 20K bulbs i like the color of my tank but my SPS did not.
Hey Zoom-
Now if you want GREAT color with a SE bulb, try the 20K XM. Although I was running dual 175w with VHO actinics over my 40g years ago, the coral colors were amazaing. I don't know how different the 250w SE XM would be but the SE 175w 20K XMs were magic.
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/whitneyb/reeftank/
The first set of pics are under 10Ks but the later are all under 20Ks.
I might go back to a blue bulb in the future but I felt that since all of the lights in my home were "warm" it was always a shock to glance over at the tank and see a very cool blue light. It took a few seconds for everyone's eyes to get used to it. I found it unsettling with my 120g and that's why I decided for a comprimise....a smoother transition on the eyes when people move from room to room.
Now if you want GREAT color with a SE bulb, try the 20K XM. Although I was running dual 175w with VHO actinics over my 40g years ago, the coral colors were amazaing. I don't know how different the 250w SE XM would be but the SE 175w 20K XMs were magic.
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/whitneyb/reeftank/
The first set of pics are under 10Ks but the later are all under 20Ks.
I might go back to a blue bulb in the future but I felt that since all of the lights in my home were "warm" it was always a shock to glance over at the tank and see a very cool blue light. It took a few seconds for everyone's eyes to get used to it. I found it unsettling with my 120g and that's why I decided for a comprimise....a smoother transition on the eyes when people move from room to room.
Zoom
Premium Member
I try the Xm 20K also but the par was very low my sps don't like the blue low par bulb thy look very good but they stop grown and i have a center glass brace at my tank the SPS under that 1/2 glass brace they strat to change color (for the worst).
My coral like the Iwasaki 6.5K bulb the best but I don't so I compromise I go half way 10K XM are blue enough with some blue PC's to make them bluer.
Well, like all things, there could be a number of variables affecting your coral color. Alk is one, nutrition another, as is water quality. So is keeping things stable and consistent. I've found that corals take a long time to adjust to any new change, especially lighting, salt or filtration. Just my experience.
Zoom
Premium Member
This tank is running now for 12 years, when i start with sps ten years a go the Iwasakis was the bulb to get. I use this bulbs for five years and then the last five years i use the 250w 10k xm bulbs with no reaction from my SPS corals .
When i switch the corals start to look bad i waited about two months and things did not change for the better for my SPS but the LPS love the low par blue mh light, so i had no other chose but to trash the 14K if i like to keep my SPS .
Everything when back to normal in just over a month after the change over back to XM 10K.
As for AlK, Nutrition and water quality goes that is a good thing to point out . I been very careful about that for decades now when it comes to my reef tanks. I also try the AB 10K bulbs and like what i seen but for the price of the XM's i stick with them.
ANNIESREEF
Premium Member
I love the color the 14k emits. The only coral that seems affected by the change from 10k to 14k is the candy cane. Out of six branches only one is ok-the others have died. I didn't question the difference like I should have. Will definetly go back to 10k next light fixture change. Even my anemone was happier with the 10k's.
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