12000k MH lighting, all I need?

[junkf15]

Is it true that with the new 12000 Kelvin MH bulb that I won't need any VHO, PC, or any other supplemental lighting? As I build my new hood, can I save the cost of VHO ballast and end caps, by just using that specific MH Bulb? I have duel 250 Watt MH ballast, in my hood I plan to place the bulbs 8-9 inches above the water level, in a 48" 55 gal rectangular tank (18" deep.) If I need the lighting, I want my corals to have it, but if I can save the cost of the VHO ballast and the extra electric bill by not using 220 watts of VHO lighting, I would like to do that too. What do you think?

 

[option720]

Hey "Junk" your name is exactly what everyones says about the the 12k bulbs....Junk. You would be better off purchasing a really good quality 10K bulb and putting in a coulpe of cheap NO Actinics. I am sure that others will tell you the same about the quality of the 12K, hope this helps. "do it right the first time"

 

[q]

Thats what I have heard too. Color shifts and such.

 

[green mariner]

YEP, I had 'em, never again. They shift, much too quickly and don't provide enough light. Go for the 10,000k they provide a nice white light without actinic supps!
HTH
[ October 25, 2001: Message edited by: Green Mariner ]

 

[adrian]

Ill second or third that, not only do they shift in color but they are pretty dim to start. If your looking for a higer K bulb I would go with the 10K like Green said, Ushio makes a good one.

 

[junkf15]

It's unusual to have a unanimous opinion like this. Does anyone have a good experience with 12000K bulbs? I thought they gave you the greatest choice of corals, everything but the light loving SPS? Is this not true? Can I keep all the same corals with the 10000K bulbs too? BurnNSpy, what do you think of the 10000 Kelvin bulbs?

 

[dhe420]

Hey Junk, I currently run the 10k german hamilton, which are esentially the ushio.(250 watts). I like them a lot but feel actinic supplemantation is necessary. If you dont plan on keeping many sps corals, i would say go with the 20k radium. They provide a very nice color and actinic light would not be needed. It is purely personal preference. By the way, if ytou already have 2*250 mh you only need normal output actinic supplementation

 

[burnnspy]

I run only 12000K bulbs and have never had any problems. They maybe be dim compared to 6500K MH but they are more intense then any VHO or PC lamp.
BurnNSpy

 

[snowcrab]

just got my order in on 2 hamilton euro 14k bulbs fired them up they are very dim in comparison to the 10000k or 6500k bulbs but really highlight the tank -- will run them for a while to see if they have enough light output. will keep the comunity informed.

 

[ironreef]

fwiw you can use halides without supplement actinc but the vho/no/pc will still add more light. I've seen many tanks with fast good growth with 20k=sps farmers use them. Alantis is using 400w 6.5k and 400w hqi 10k usio on his prop tanks with same sump to compare. = same growth same color ect.. so far. Fwiw I like 6.5k iwaski but may try ushio. they look better But I'm waiting for the # to come out on ushio. maybe this winter. But i use 6.5k and 3-110w vho cuz the 6.5 I can get 2 for 1 ushio...almost.

 

[junkf15]

So I guess the question is, “How much PAL (photosynthetic available light) do I get from the 12000K bulbs, and is there another bulb temperature that has more PAL?” Also, if I want to keep the LPS corals, do I need a different light, or will 12000K give say, a torch coral, what it needs?
Thanks for the help.

 

[burnnspy]

12000K MH is more then enough for LSP corals.
BurnNSpy

 

[ironreef]

IME halides will suit any lsp and softies. Sps also just different temp and watts give/make them different colors. green can turn purple when going from 250w to 400w