Brian Prestwood
Premium Member
I just replaced my one year old 10KK MH german bulbs with new 20KK MH XMs. I don't think I care that it doesn't look natural. The colors are incredible.
20KK MH XMs Installed
- Thread starter Brian Prestwood
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dots
Premium Member
I find 20k a bit blue, I feel the 14k more pleasing to my palette......"silver, with a hint of blue"....I would describe them as in my wine snob voice....
But if had only a choice between 20K and 10K.......20K everyday of the week I say!!
Whats the PAR difference between the old and new bulbs? I am assuming SEs, correct?
But if had only a choice between 20K and 10K.......20K everyday of the week I say!!
Whats the PAR difference between the old and new bulbs? I am assuming SEs, correct?
. The 20Ks usually look a bit too dim, unless you go up to 400W. Glad to hear that it is "working" for you
Brian Prestwood
Premium Member
Krista
I'm curious to see what it looks like in pics too. I'll post some soon.
Doug
These are DE bulbs. Which 14KK bulbs are you using?
Tom
"Working for me" being the key phase. I expect the growth on my SPS to slow. It will be intersting to see how much. I do have a grow out tank with a 10KK SE bulb in the stand.
I'm curious to see what it looks like in pics too. I'll post some soon.
Doug
These are DE bulbs. Which 14KK bulbs are you using?
Tom
"Working for me" being the key phase. I expect the growth on my SPS to slow. It will be intersting to see how much. I do have a grow out tank with a 10KK SE bulb in the stand.
Unarce
Unshackled
Re: 20KK MH XMs Installed
The overpowering blue isn't unnatural. It's probably what an actual reef looks like at 9am/3pm
It really enhances the fluorescing pigments, which is the biggest draw of high kelvin bulbs. The rest of the colors will sort of blend in with the background and rocks.
The overpowering blue isn't unnatural. It's probably what an actual reef looks like at 9am/3pm
It really enhances the fluorescing pigments, which is the biggest draw of high kelvin bulbs. The rest of the colors will sort of blend in with the background and rocks.
Brian Prestwood
Premium Member
Hey Karl
The blue light looks natural for 90-130 feet (depth) in the day time. The intensity seems a little high. It is the color of the animals that seems too intense. I am really OK with that.
The next time (~May) I get down below 90 in the tropics I'll have to compare.
The blue light looks natural for 90-130 feet (depth) in the day time. The intensity seems a little high. It is the color of the animals that seems too intense. I am really OK with that.
The next time (~May) I get down below 90 in the tropics I'll have to compare.
robertloop
Member
I use 20K xm's too. Love em.
fishsoldseprtly
In Memoriam
10K basically represents 10-30 ocean depth feet
14K basically represents 30-60 ocean depth feet
20K basically represents 60-90 ocean depth feet
14K basically represents 30-60 ocean depth feet
20K basically represents 60-90 ocean depth feet
Brian Prestwood
Premium Member
I think next time I'll take another look at the 14KK bulbs. These (20KK) are definately better than the 10KK bulbs I was using. I had heard that the 14KK bulbs tended to drift (change color) too fast.
Brian Prestwood
Premium Member
Sounds about right to me too. I think I'll aim for 30-60 feet next time. Its all good.
robertloop
Member
I used 12K sunburst bulbs for 3 years. They did shift a little.... in as little as a few months. Still loved having sweet blue lighting with no actinic supplimentation.
The XM bulbs are really blue at first. After the burn in they are perfect imo.
In my experience the color change did not effect growth rate of any sps. The colors really came out though.
The XM bulbs are really blue at first. After the burn in they are perfect imo.
In my experience the color change did not effect growth rate of any sps. The colors really came out though.
Brian Prestwood
Premium Member
I used those Sunburst bulbs too. I had a lot of trouble (flickering and color shifts) with them. I had them on the original IceCap MH ballasts. Not sure which was the source of the trouble. I did like the color when they ran right.
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