10k and 10k bulbs

[the_bandit]

I will be replacing my PC fixture for an Ice Cap 250w plug and play MH. The two bulbs I will be getting are 10 and 12k. Are they going to be too yellow? I like the blue look so do I need to getting higher kelvin lights? Maybe 14k or 20k?

 

[geoj]

Originally Posted by The_Bandit
http:///forum/post/3200596
I will be replacing my PC fixture for an Ice Cap 250w plug and play MH. The two bulbs I will be getting are 10 and 12k. Are they going to be too yellow? I like the blue look so do I need to getting higher kelvin lights? Maybe 14k or 20k?
Yes, I would go up to 14k
I just did the change from a 10k 250w ran on Icecap and it is a little yellow. Now running XMs 15k and the light is very white with a little tint of blue.
The fluorescing corals pop pretty well and the other colors are still visible.

 

[jackri]

I went from 10k to 14k and love the new color difference. You don't realize how yellow it is until you change.

 

[the_bandit]

Well that crappy seller fell through and sold all his stuff even though he was going to meet me today.

There is a auction on e b a y that is a 250 Watt Metal Halide Aquarium Light w/ New Bulb. Comes with either and 14k or 20k bulb. It doesn't say which type of ballast it is or what type of lighting bulb brand it is. It's only $90 shipped. Should I buy it?

 

[geoj]

Don't know what they are trying to sell post a pic.

 

[kraylen]

Get a 20k Radium bulb assuming you have a SE fixture. Amazing.

 

[the_bandit]

Just bought a 250w with ice cap ballast and a 14k bulb.
MAN IS THIS THING BRIGHT!.
It blows my T5's outta the water. I love the shimmer though. The bulb is about 5-6'' away from the water. Will that be ok?

 

[geoj]

6” is about where mine is
What type of bulb and how do you like the color?

 

[the_bandit]

For the most part I love the color. Little yellow but I will most deffinetly take what I can get. I cant read what type of bulb it is because its on and like looking into the sun so I will tell you in the morning after it has been turned off. Its only 3 weeks old so I should be good. Its not a high end brand like Phoenix or XM. My Mantis is super scared. Staying hiden in her PVC tunnel but hopefully she will get used to it. I dont have a fan running at the moment because I dont have a small enough clip on and I dont have a computer fan. The person I bought it from said I wouldnt need one because its an Ice Cap Ballast but right now the light has been running for maybe 3 hours and my tank is at 80.1. It usually runs about 78-79. Ill have to see once I run the light for about 9 hours. Should I run it that long at first or no? What about noon through 8? Shorter?

 

[geoj]

You will get a different answer from most people and books as to how long. I am running a MH for 5 hours and four 1w 460nm LEDs 3hours before and after the MH. The 8 hour you are running should be ok. If you are going to get a fan get a 12vdc fan and a beffy universal ac-dc adapter that way you can change the speed of the fan.