Metal Halide question.

[Jah2707]

I have been looking at purchasing a metal halide for my tank. currently I have power compact but I don't have room to add any more and I want hard coral in the future. What is the difference in 14k or 20 k. It sounds like 20k would be brighter or is it just a different color. If it is brighter then why wouldn't everyone choose the 20k. Sorry if this is a stupid question just something I can't find anything out on the web.

 

[Deadeye]

20K is more blue. I use 250watt PFO Pendants with icecap e-ballasts, with coralvue 250watt 20k mogul bulbs.

I prefer 20k cause the coral looks slightly better to me. I'd like to do a couple of blue actincs for even more blue.

 

[Medicine Man]

The difference between 14k and 20k is the amount of blue in the light spectrum. 20k are more blue in color than 14k. The is a slight difference in PAR (brightness) between the two also. 14K would actually be a little brighter due to the amount of white in the light spectrum. Just my personal opinion, if you are going to do more SPS corals (Hard Coral) in your system you will be happier with the 14K than the 20K. Growth is a little slower in SPS with 20K. I have also had 10K bulbs, which are nice as well, I just like a little more blue than what they provide. My current system is nearly all SPS and consists of 2 250 watt Hamilton 14K Halides and one 400 watt 20k Radium (in the center). Don't feel bad about asking questions. I had the same question a few years ago and thanks to others I think I have most of it strait.

 

[Jah2707]

Just read the new reef magazine online and it told me all of that. Thanks guys.