Metal Halide Lights

[sharonafix]

I am ready to replace my MH lights. They are 175 Watt/10000K.
My question is: what does MORE K (12000 to 14000K) light do and can I run it with the set up I have.
Can I buy bulbs that are 175W 14000K and what effect will it have on my reef aquarium?
Or should I say with 175W/10000K only?
Just don't understand if I have options and what they are?
:thinking: :notsure:

 

[reeffer]

Originally Posted by sharonafix
I am ready to replace my MH lights. They are 175 Watt/10000K.
My question is: what does MORE K (12000 to 14000K) light do and can I run it with the set up I have.
Can I buy bulbs that are 175W 14000K and what effect will it have on my reef aquarium?
Or should I say with 175W/10000K only?
Just don't understand if I have options and what they are?
:thinking: :notsure:
from what i know 20000k give off a more intense light which makes it more Blue- but it also has only one large spike if you look at it on a light spectrum chart.
10000k is more spread out across the chart which is supposedly better for the coral gives off a yellowish light. but 14000k is a good middle choice.
as for if you can put 14000 in and not 10000k again i think so not 100%

 

[ohioguy06]

Originally Posted by sharonafix
I am ready to replace my MH lights. They are 175 Watt/10000K.
My question is: what does MORE K (12000 to 14000K) light do and can I run it with the set up I have.
Can I buy bulbs that are 175W 14000K and what effect will it have on my reef aquarium?
Or should I say with 175W/10000K only?
Just don't understand if I have options and what they are?
:thinking: :notsure:
If im understanding your question correctly...... AS said in the previous post 10-20k bulbs have a different range of spectrum. imo i like the 20k bulbs because to me it looks a little more natural but a happy medium would be 14 k. I have had both myself the 14k grows corals better imo opinion but the 20k keeps them alive at slow growth.(im makeing this all confusing rambleing sorry) trying to help a little just have hard time answering ?s
RIch

 

[sharonafix]

I tried to look at FAQ but I can not download anything tonight.
From the messages that I received, it seems a 14000 would work o.k. and be a good choice. It would have more blue than yellow color. What I didn't know is if higher K would work with the balast unit that I have. It must be the WATTS that make a difference with the balast.

 

[db]

Pretty much any SE 175w bulb will work with your ballast. When looking at going to a higher Kelvin bulb you most remember that there will be a loss in light intensity. You might want to look into the new Coralvue 10 or 12K reeflux bulbs. They are giving good color, but have better intensity than most of the SE 14 or 20K bulbs. The 10K is white with a hint of blue and the 12K gives off a pretty nice mix of blue.

 

[acrylic51]

The intesity of the light IMO won't be brighter or higher with a 20k bulb....The bulb will be bluier and certain things utilize different spectrums of the light...Alot of bulb choice has to do with the look your trying to achieve with your tank....If you like the blue look you might want to look at the 15k or 20k's. If you want a even mix you might want to look at the 10k's and supplement with 03 (atinics) to blue things a bit.....If you like the stark bright white stay with 10k's the lower 6500k will be yellowish