Reeflux 10K vs. 12K. pics`

[fishypets]

After using the Reeflux 10K bulbs for about 4 months I decided to try out the 12K. Ballast used is dual 400W PFO magnetic ballast. Both pics are supplemented by T5 actinic. The 12K have started to "burn" in a little and don't seem so 20Kish as they first did. Which one do you like better?





10K

12K

 

[Shooter7]

As someone who runs the 12k's, I prefer them myself as I like the touch of blue look with them. However, I don't run any actinic and I think that adding actinic to them would be overly blue for me. I'm getting good growth out of my softies and LPS under these. My monti cap is growing like crazy, but up until just recently that was the only SPS coral in the tank. I now have several small frags of various SPS corals so I'll see how well they grow with these lights.

 

[blue20051]

That is a great looking thank!

 

[Chromed1]

The 12K look much better IMO. Very nice setup too!

 

[Ceak]

yep I like the 12k too, nice tank dude

 

[dolt]

I too just got one of the 12Ks to try out - I had used the reeflux 10k before and loved the amazing effect it had on blues and purples, but did not like that pink effect that it has to it - I have had the 12k in for less than one week so is early to say, but does not seem that the blues fluoresce as much as it did with the 10k - is that your experience as well? how long have you had the 12Ks in now?

 

[fishypets]

Thanks everyone for the compliments. I think I like the 12K's better also.

Dolt,

The 12K have been burning for just over 100 hours, but I don't have HQI ballast so they will burn a little bluer. Now that I have a chiller I think I might switch to the HQI and add a third 400W.

 

[6Speed]

How blue does it look w/o the T5's?

 

[BreadmanMike]

12k all the way...

 

[Froggy]

I personally like the 10K. It may just be the picture but the 12K pic makes all of the corals look bluish/green. The 10 K pic gives a more natural appearance and gives each coral a distinct look based on their actual color.....if that makes sense.

Nice tank either way you light it

 

[TheVillageIdiot]

i prefer the 10k, beautiful tank too!

 

[HowardW]

I like the 10K better, looks more natural.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

used both on diferent ballasts and watts.....12K(and how does a white light make a more natural look? reefs definitely are tinted some shade of green or blue in apperance under water)
-jmo

 

[SunnyX]

10K looks much better, more variety in color. The 12K makes the corals look too green.

 

[TheVillageIdiot]

the 10ks look more "natural" to our eyes, but most of us don't scuba dive... ;-)

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7377859#post7377859 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
10K looks much better, more variety in color. The 12K makes the corals look too green.

have you used both bulbs? or are you judging from a picture through the internet?

I assure you the 12K on elec. ballasts do not make all tthe corals green

but different strokes for different folks

 

[Froggy]

I suppose "natural" was not the correct word to use. I think Sunny said what I was trying to convey. At least in the Pic's, the 10 K's show a wider range of coral color and shows their actual color differences which is what I was calling natural. In the Pic the 12 K's give a blue cast that seem to hide the actual coral color and mask their "natural" beauty.

I have not used the 12 K reeflux and have only used the 10 K myself so I cannot say or verify if that is their appearance in person. I am sure the 12 K looks better in person and is showing more blue in the picture due to the white balance being off on the camera when the pic was taken.

As far as the pictures shown above, I still prefer the 10 K.

 

[dolt]

hard to judge from a photo some times but on my pfo hqi the 12K bulbs do not look anywhere near that blue (the picture looks more like what an XM 20K looks like on my ballast)
nice tank either way

 

[PiNaPLeX]

10k's get my vote. I like the more natural look with supplements.

 

[Rothie]

I prefer the 10K.