mh question...
- Thread starter mhills16
- Start date
commonstranger
New member
The best color is almost always going to be a 20k bulb but probably the slowest growth. The 14k will split the difference while the 10k has alot of yellow in it. Although it will have the fastest growth for your corals. I run Radiums and they have great color but I do think Im going to swap back and forth with 14k then back to Radium etc. Hope this helps.
lotsoftats
New member
I asked a similar question about my new 40 breeder tank and was given the suggestion of using Xm 10k and a VHO/T5 supp....Had a few people say they had great growth and nice color....HTH
mike
mike
mikemartinez
New member
I would go for the 14k because you will get growth but also the colors that you need... It has just enough blue, In the 29 gal I had set up I had a 150w Viper lamp with a Phoenix 14k bulb...
I also prefer a little more blueness (better colors) to my tank over alot of growth..
I also prefer a little more blueness (better colors) to my tank over alot of growth..
ameares8
www.mearesdesign.com
+1 on the Phoenix 14k! I have an Ushio 14k right now, but I am switching to the Phoenix because I like the blue myself. Google Ushio14k vs Phoenix 14k and you should find good comparison shots for a few bulbs.
Here is a picture of Ushio 14k Phoenix 14K Ushio 10K side by side on the same tank:
http://www.gardsreef.com/images/pics/light_test.jpg
Here is a picture of Ushio 14k Phoenix 14K Ushio 10K side by side on the same tank:
http://www.gardsreef.com/images/pics/light_test.jpg
mixer911
New member
I run 250w Radium's. Have been running them for years with great growth and color. With radiums you will get the best growth with 400w HQI Ballasts. Ballasts play a huge role in MH color and growth. The buld is just half of the equation. I really like Phoenix 14k bulbs also. Great color and growth.
check champion lighting i got mine, they are 57.97 and shipped quiclky
http://www.championlighting.com/home.php
http://www.championlighting.com/home.php
ameares8
www.mearesdesign.com
I personally like Hello Lights. I have always had good service from them. I bought some lights a few months ago from the clearance section and they sent me half of the correct order. I called them that night when i got the stuff and they sent me the correct stuff the next day. Good customer service and good prices in my opinion.
ai-reefer
New member
I had ushio 14k, then i moved to Phoenix 14k. The difference is amazing.
It was a little too blue at first but after a couple of weeks it was a nice clean light blue which i wanted.
Growth has been very good, nothing miraculous. Color of my corals improved a lot.
From what i've read, under 20k lights, the color doesn't really improve for all corals. It just looks better.
If you have deep water corals, then they will appreciate the lower intensity of the 20ks.
Its basically matching the intensity of the light to the corals natural water depth in the ocean. For some coral photosynthesis happens at very low intensity(zoas), for some it has to be relatively high.
So theoretically, the longer you keep the 14k bulbs, the better your corals will do as far as color. There will be a point where the bulb has deteriorated physically and can no longer yield desired intensity or color, but that should be 12-24 months from the point of installation.
Some growers will use 10k lights initially to improve growth, then switch to 20k for better color. Thats because the 10k lights increase the formation of brown photosynthetic cells. when they put them back in their natural low intensity light, their natural color is restored.
It was a little too blue at first but after a couple of weeks it was a nice clean light blue which i wanted.
Growth has been very good, nothing miraculous. Color of my corals improved a lot.
From what i've read, under 20k lights, the color doesn't really improve for all corals. It just looks better.
If you have deep water corals, then they will appreciate the lower intensity of the 20ks.
Its basically matching the intensity of the light to the corals natural water depth in the ocean. For some coral photosynthesis happens at very low intensity(zoas), for some it has to be relatively high.
So theoretically, the longer you keep the 14k bulbs, the better your corals will do as far as color. There will be a point where the bulb has deteriorated physically and can no longer yield desired intensity or color, but that should be 12-24 months from the point of installation.
Some growers will use 10k lights initially to improve growth, then switch to 20k for better color. Thats because the 10k lights increase the formation of brown photosynthetic cells. when they put them back in their natural low intensity light, their natural color is restored.
Last edited:
ZachB
New member
Thank you for your service to the country :wave:
Hope you have some nice colors waiting for you when you return!
Similar threads
