OK guys, I'd love some SE bulb input and favorites !!

[acropora213]

I have been using a 10k 250w Blueline SE.

I really like it, but its time to replace and I was thinking about going a step up, to 14k.

Can I get some feedback on what you have experienced with different bulbs / brands. And what your preferences were.

Its of course also going to be supplemented with actinics. fyi .

Its also a mixed reef, but mainly sps and clams

 

[Avi]

I've been happy with Coralvue 14,000Ks. Nothing too fancy and I don't have much by way of SPS so I don't know if this is helpful. But, as far as all kinds of LPS and soft corals, they do fine under them and the color is pleasing, to me. Mine are supplemented by T5 Blue Plus bulbs.

 

[143gadgets]

If you are currently using Blueline, try the 10k+ (they are 14k bulbs). I am am using them now with two 110w URI actinic bulbs for supplimentation and I love them! I get excellent color and growth from them.

 

[jimbo045]

I'm hooked on the 14s. They seem better than the 10,000s.

 

[ReefHotSpot]

I haven't had experience with blueline bulbs but highly recommend moving on to the 14k bulbs. 14k is somehow that happy medium between perceived intensity and useful radiation. In my tanks in the past I always used hamilton bulbs just because they are close to where I live. I didn't like their 10k because it seemed too yellow (remember these ratings are averages so look at the spectrum--that is why there is so much perceived difference between different manufacturers of 10k's) but loved their 14k's. They have a good wave light action to them and you don't lose your reds and yellows like you do with the 20k's.

 

[richfavinger]

2x 250w XM 10k + 48" VHO 03 Lamps, love the setup.
I had looked at the 14k or 15k XM lamps, but for PAR rating the 10k's put out more.

Rich

 

[supertech3]

I used the 14k hami's for a few years and when my bulbs expired changed to the 15k xm's and like them better than the 14k's about the same color but more intensity

 

[acropora213]

Thanks guys, the input is helping.

Hey Chris ( 143 ) , The Blueline I have IS the 10k plus. I just looked at it. Do they make another kelvin in that ,before they hit 20k ??

There was this huge thread done by someone last year on kelvin temp., and color comparison on every bulb he could find. He even had pictures posted of every bulb, and how it looked over his reef. Great research by this guy, sorry can't remember the name now.

But that's when I saw the Blueline 10k +. I said wow ! , that's a great color. I may just stick with it. As rudrun stated above, 14k is the way to go, but the 10k plus is damn close to that, as 143 had stated also.

 

[143gadgets]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6956447#post6956447 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by acropora213
Thanks guys, the input is helping.

Hey Chris ( 143 ) , The Blueline I have IS the 10k plus. I just looked at it. Do they make another kelvin in that ,before they hit 20k ??

There was this huge thread done by someone last year on kelvin temp., and color comparison on every bulb he could find. He even had pictures posted of every bulb, and how it looked over his reef. Great research by this guy, sorry can't remember the name now.

But that's when I saw the Blueline 10k +. I said wow ! , that's a great color. I may just stick with it. As rudrun stated above, 14k is the way to go, but the 10k plus is damn close to that, as 143 had stated also.

Nope. the next kelvin is 20k. I would suggest that you stay with the 10k+ bulbs. I am due to switch mine in a few months and I am going to stay with them. Great price, Beautiful color, and Pretty good par. You can't beat that. If you go to www.championlighting.com they sell the 10k+ and right next to the name of the bulb it states in parenthesis "14000K" So they are actually 14k bulbs, just woth a funcky name. HTH Good luck at whatever you decide to do.

 

[Malolo]

I've used blueline 10k and 10k plus and recently bought some hamilton 10 and 14K. I like the Hamiltons. 14K measured better par value than the blueline 10k plus. The two 10ks are very similar but Hamiltons a little less yellow with pretty much same par value as the blueline.