Metal Halide Question

dartman

Member
If you use 20000K or 14000k bulbs do you still need actinic bulbs? Will the higher k bring out the colors like an actinic?
 
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xrobbx03

Guest
from what i have read in metal halide threads that if you have the 20k bulbs you wont have to run actinics cause of the blueish color that the bulbs will put out
 

dartman

Member
Does anyone here just run 20000k and no actinics? Please help me out I'm trying to decide what to do.
 

mikeyjer

Active Member
Originally Posted by SaltFan
In reality, your better off running just the 14k, with no actinics.
If you run 14k, you need to supplement with actinics!!! I run this setup on my 55 reef, 2-175w SE MH 14k and 2-110w VHO Super Actinics(changing to URI soon) and moon lights all set on timers for dawn to dusk effect. For my 90g Bowfront RR I'm going to be running 2-250w SE MH 20k XM bulbs, there's no need for supplement lighting. When I saw one at a local reefer's place, I fell in love with the color it puts out. He's got a nice reef setup as well. We hold reef club meetings at other reefer's house every month, next month would be at my place. :happyfish
 
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toungetwster

Guest
I run 250 watt 14 K Reeflux bulbs; and nothing else! My tank is perfect; crisp white with enough blue to make the tank perfect! I know others that run the same set up without any supplimental lighting.
 

mikeyjer

Active Member
Originally Posted by toungetwster
I run 250 watt 14 K Reeflux bulbs; and nothing else! My tank is perfect; crisp white with enough blue to make the tank perfect! I know others that run the same set up without any supplimental lighting.
If you read more into it, 14k needs supplement lighting. But if it works for you, so be it. How long have you been running it for you saying the tank is running perfect? :happyfish
 

mikeyjer

Active Member
Originally Posted by dartman
Nice so lets say I do 2 20000k metal halide with no actinic will the coral still grow nicely?
If you want growth, 10k would do better then 20k. If you have a nice piece already, 20k would be perfect. :happyfish
 
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