Metal Halide bulb Comparison

[swatskee]

Ok, so i got my MH system started last week and it's working great. I am a bit dissapointed though with the actual spectrum of the 10000k bulbs i got. I picked them up from a wholesale place online and they are much more yellow than i expected. I do have my system 2x 250w 10000k MH supplimented with 130w 50/50 that helps out a bit, but not what i expected. I guess i should have gotten 12000k or something.
Anyone have experience using one 10000k MH and one 20000k bulb :notsure: ??
let me know your experiences please.
Thanks
SWAT

 

[snipe]

I would either replace the 10k's with something like a 14K or replace the 50/50 with actinics. One 10k and one 20k wouldnt look right one side of the tank would be a diffrent color than the other side of the tank.

 

[acrylic51]

What brand of 10K MH????

 

[acrylic51]

Yeah like Snipe said I'd definitely get rid of the 50/50 bulbs and run straight up 03's....What's the purpose of the 50/50 when you have the 10K's?

 

[snipe]

It just adds more PAR for the tank with having alittle blue glow to it.

 

[swatskee]

the only reason for the 50/50's is that i already had them in my 2x65w setup.
Guess i'll have to try the 03's and dump the 50/50's anyway.

 

[swatskee]

ther brand is a custom brand to a wholesale company. the bulb's were 40.00 each. Guess it's too good to be tru to get a decent bulb under 60.00.... my bad i guess.
then again, maybe it will look great with the full 03 suppliments vbs the 50/50 pc???

 

[snipe]

It would look alright. Even my 14K bulbs are yellow and I couldnt imagine what 10k's would look like. I will try and get a pic for you tomorrow with 14K online and with 14K and 03 on.

 

[acrylic51]

I've run 12K's before and they were a little to much blue for me, and the color shift was horrible....Haven't tried the 14k's yet....Have been very pleased with the XM 10K's though

 

[swatskee]

thanks,
it's hard to tell in this photo of the true yellowish color... for some reason the picture looks better that the real-life immage i see every day. I guess my personal preference is a blue look........ maybe i'll break down and order the 14k's..... what mfg are you running?

 

[buzzword]

I have 10K XM's as well and like them well enough. I am going to use them till they need replacing then I think I am going to try the XM 15k's. I also have 4x65w 03's, looks good that way I think.