Metal Halide Bulb question

[tent boy]

I know another stupid question about mh bulbs. I have 2-250w se xm bulbs for my 36" deep tank. I think I need more light down to the bottom. I love blue light. I'm replacing the bulbs now. Do I get xm 14k for more light or switch brands?

 

[RoscoPColtrane]

36" is a very deep tank. Bulbs with higher K rating like 15 or 20K generally have lower light output (although more appealing color to most). To increase light to the bottom I think you will want to stick to a 10K bulb. Do you have good reflectors to maximize the amount of light reaching the bottom? What makes you think you need more light to reach the bottom?

 

[tent boy]

I think I need more light down there because everything that I put low slowly shrinks. I move it up and it starts growing. Not very scientific but....Is there a 10k thats not so white?

 

[jaybfresh]

Can you add a couple blue t5 bulbs? That would offset the yellow of a 10k bulb

 

[tent boy]

What would that fixture look like? I have some room in the canopy. I do have 2 actinic bulbs in there already, but they really don't add alot of blue color compared to the halides.
If white is right, then thats what I should do.

 

[jaybfresh]

They probably dont add a lot of blue because your halides are really blue themselves. I bet you would see them make a difference with 10k halide bulbs. You can get additional retrofit t5 bulbs if you still need more. You screw them right into your canopy, and each bulb/reflector takes up about 2"

 

[tent boy]

So add t5s and use 10k xm or change brand?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I know another stupid question about mh bulbs. I have 2-250w se xm bulbs for my 36" deep tank. I think I need more light down to the bottom. I love blue light. I'm replacing the bulbs now. Do I get xm 14k for more light or switch brands?

first, the facts:
*there's no such thing as a stupid question.
*everyone's eyes perceive colors differently.

If you're running actinics replace 'em every 6- 8 months. (Are they VHO actinics? 454's or Supers?)

What halide ballasts are you running?

More data needed in order to receive accurate recommendations.

 

[tent boy]

Hopefully the pictures help with the ballast type. The actinic boxes say H2ology. Super. By the way, those silly led lights are in there are for additional moonlighting. The stuff in there was too dim IMO.