Metal Halide: 10K vs 14K

[maguro]

Does anyone has a picture of how 10K vs 14K MH looks like in the tank? I just want to see how blue the 14K is compared to the 10K in real life. Is it true that you would not require actinics when u have a 14K MH? Thanks.

 

[SanFranTodd]

Ushio10K:

AC14K:

10K:

14K:

 

[SanFranTodd]

Also see this thread for more good photos

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=254667

 

[DarG]

Maguro, it totally depends on the bulb. One companies 10000K can have more of a blue look than another companies 10000K. In fact, one 10000K could even have more blue look than anothers 14000K.
Some 14000K's are white, others are Blue. Check out the MH Q and A at the top of the page and visit Sanjays site. Check out the bulb comparisons. You will see 10000K and 14000K bulbs that actually measure all over the place. Iwasaki has a bulb they call a 50000K that actually measures closer to 14000K. Point is, halide bulb color temperature ratings can be very misleading and very confusing.

 

[maguro]

hey guys, thanks for the replies. that was very helpful, especially the thread on MH comparison.

the reason i ask is that i'm thinking about upgrading to MH for my 20gal. i have been running it with 2x65 PC for 2+ yrs, and all my softies are doing great, as well as the montiporas. but if i want to expand to keeping acros or clams, i probably need stronger lighting. i saw that current sunpod has a 24" MH fixture 14K, with 6 lunar lights, and i wonder if that could help. but i've also read many successful stories using T5's for keeping acros. heat problems will be my concern, too, since my tank is small. so T5 might be a better alternative??

 

[SanFranTodd]

Yeah those sunpods are awesome, but you will see an increase in temperature since the fixture is about 6-8" off the water with that small tank.

T-5's are easy to retrofit if you have a canopy, not sure about self-enclosed units in 24" though...

 

[maguro]

thanks, SanFranTodd. Would a HO T5 4x24W lighting be stronger than my current 2 x 65W PC? which might be sufficient for some acros placed up high? I'm not sure if it's worth the switch from PC to T5's. But MH might just be too hot for my system, and I'll need a chiller. Any suggestions? ...besides upgrading to a bigger tank all together.

 

[SanFranTodd]

I've never had experience with T-5's, but I hear the key is the individual reflectors - so I imagine it would be a noticeable difference vs. your 2x65w PC's.

I've seen some gorgeous tanks lit by not much under T-5 and they can keep a lot more compared to PC.

 

[SanFranTodd]

and if all else fails just get the MH and keep a bag of ice in your sump

 

[DarG]

Yes, T5 is a signifigant lighting improvement over PC and individual reflectors will give you more light still with the T5's. But heat can still be an issue. There are some experts that claim that T5 will increse the heat of the tank more than halide. I don't think that's true but it's possible. I run both T5 and Halide.

 

[hatfielj]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10076967#post10076967 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DarG
Maguro, it totally depends on the bulb. One companies 10000K can have more of a blue look than another companies 10000K. In fact, one 10000K could even have more blue look than anothers 14000K.
Some 14000K's are white, others are Blue. Check out the MH Q and A at the top of the page and visit Sanjays site. Check out the bulb comparisons. You will see 10000K and 14000K bulbs that actually measure all over the place. Iwasaki has a bulb they call a 50000K that actually measures closer to 14000K. Point is, halide bulb color temperature ratings can be very misleading and very confusing.

This is true, but it also depends on the ballast. Some ballasts will burn the same bulb at a bluer or whiter temp than others