12K vs 10K Metal Halides?

aquarookie

aquarookie

New Member
One of my tanks under PC lighting looks awesome (220watts daylight and actinic bulbs) my other tank under MH (2, 250watt 10K) looks -alright-. I am about to replace my bulbs. What type of bulbs give the best "photographic" appearance? 10K,12K,20K,etc...?
 
ssweet1

ssweet1

Member
I have 10k metal halide and it looks somewhat yellow. I think next time I will try 12k. 20k would have a lot of blue tint to it, which some prefer but I would stick with something in between the yellow-white 10k and the blue 20k. The manufacturer also has to do with the looks I have heard Ushio and Coralife have very good colors, but be prepared to pay alot more for the namebrand types. Carrie
 
H

hewetton

Guest
You would hardly see any difference, though. If you want something more bluish, then go for 20K. Otherwise it doesn't matter which one you choose.
 
jimmy g

jimmy g

Member
I have a 175 Watt 10K XM Bulb and its awsome, I also have a 65 watt actinic on there also and I couldnt be more happy
( This is all on my 29 G.)
 
jimmy g

jimmy g

Member
No, not at all. I Have a 3 inch fan built into my custom canopy though. Temp doesnt move one degree during the day.
 
snailheave

snailheave

Active Member
my 10k bulb doesn't look that good at all. my lfs' reef tank uses 22k bulb and it looks stunning. so that's maybe what i'll do come replacing time.
my question: as long as the wattage is the same, you can use bulb of any spectrum without having to change the ballast, correct?
 
C

capschamp

Guest

Originally posted by snailheave
my question: as long as the wattage is the same, you can use bulb of any spectrum without having to change the ballast, correct?
for the most part i think you're right, but you have to be sure if the bulb is a pulse start or probe start to match the type of ballast, i think.
 
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