Poll - What's Your Metal Halide Temp (K)?

[llebcire]

Just curious as to what everyone's using:

1. 6,500k
2. 10,000k
3. 14,000k
4. 20,000k

I realize I left out 13k and 15k (vote 14k if you would) but I was just looking for a general idea.

I'm thinking of changing from 10k and am deciding between 14k and 20k.

Thanks!

 

[mpoletti]

I use the 12.5 from Giesemann

 

[mwood]

I use EVC14k and XM10k mixed, but I am going to replace the 10k's with Ushio14k's after seeing them. Very nice!

 

[phishcrazee]

I have the 14k now.

 

[cyberdude47]

XM 20K 400w All the way

 

[JPA]

Not all 14Ks are the same so I would find a bulb that you like and stick with it. I think my 12K reeflux is bluer than my 14K xm.

 

[ReeferKeith]

I have been happy with my 2EVC 14k's. :thumbsup:

 

[ACBlinky]

10K XMs here, and very happy

 

[llebcire]

Looks like it's a toss-up between 10k and 14k so I think I'll try the 14's.

Thanks all!

 

[BLKTANG]

20k de

 

[SuperNerd]

Just bought some 10K XMs.

 

[mwood]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8889494#post8889494 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by llebcire
Looks like it's a toss-up between 10k and 14k so I think I'll try the 14's.

Thanks all!

Which 14k's? 14k bulbs range from very white to as blue as a 20k. The label doesn't say much about the color of the bulb.

 

[llebcire]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8890375#post8890375 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mwood
Which 14k's? 14k bulbs range from very white to as blue as a 20k. The label doesn't say much about the color of the bulb.

I've been using the Plus brand metal halides since 2004 without much incident, you hopefully remember my (your) frogspawn as well as the coloration of the green/orange/blue encrusting montis that I have so the corals must not mind the bulbs.

When I started in this hobby I qickly realized that with two similar products, the one marked "reef" was typically 2-5 times more money than the other, therefore I wanted an alternative for the halides. Inside Sun is a greenhouse supplier and sells the Plus 250w MH's for $35 shipped. I initially got the 250w ballast/reflector/light/etc. for $130 each.

If I knew the bulbs would work with my ballast, I would try the bulbs talked about on eBay
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZwhulljr in this thread

I have noticed in other threads that two bulbs marked "x" kelvin can be wildly different in actual output!

The 10k's that I have, possibly as much the brand as anything, are a little on the yellowish side for me and I am looking to try the 14's for a little more "pop" in the colors.

 

[llebcire]

Looks like a race between the 10's and 14's with the 20's starting to come out of nowhere!

 

[dougchambers]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8902133#post8902133 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by llebcire
Looks like a race between the 10's and 14's with the 20's starting to come out of nowhere!

Don't forget, going from a 10,000K to 20,000K will drop your PAR significantly and from what most people say, shorten your bulb life. Are you planning to run any supplemental actinic?

-Doug

 

[jskaras]

XM 20K 175X3 with 4x110 dual actinics

 

[llebcire]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8902732#post8902732 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dougchambers
Don't forget, going from a 10,000K to 20,000K will drop your PAR significantly and from what most people say, shorten your bulb life. Are you planning to run any supplemental actinic?

-Doug

I just ordered the 14k's but I run 4 x 65w Current Dual Actinic PC's along with the 2 x 250w MH's on a 75g.

I sometimes wonder if actinic is for our benefit, i.e. coloration, or if they are actually needed with the halides. With this in mind, I will add another 250w to my 180g (3 total) but I may stay with the current 4 x 65 PC's if they would be adequate.

Lighting period is PC from 7 am to 10 pm and MH from 12 pm - 8 pm.

 

[MinibowMatt]

just switched my XM15k for XM 10k... 15K= no par!

 

[mwood]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8903766#post8903766 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MinibowMatt
just switched my XM15k for XM 10k... 15K= no par!

XM15k=no par, the 15k/14k/12k rating is irrelevant. 400w Ushio 14k bulbs have a very nice white look and a per around 160.

 

[GSMguy]

20k ushio i love it looks great no actinic needed