Pictures of 10k, 12k, 14k and up MH anyone?
- Thread starter chris009
- Start date
murph145
Active Member
this pic is more of the center of my tank it has a 20K ushio in the center really not that blue as the other 20K pics... the ushio is more purple
heres a full tank the right and left hand sides are runing phoenix 14K's they are a tad more blue while the uship is more purple
murph145
Active Member
each bulb manufactuer makes a bulb with a supposed Kelvin rating on the bulb...
its supposed to go from yellowish to bluish down the Kelvin scale... the lower the rating the higher the PAR usually and the yellower the bulbs... 10K is usually used for growth.... 14K for coloration and growth.... and 20K mainly to get colors to pop... but obviously u can get 400W 20K bulbs or even 1000W 20K bulbs and get some awesome growth and coloration... most average hobbyist use 150W or 250W bulbs so what i said above counts..
however u can get a bulbs par rating off of sanjays site he rates lots of bulbs and gives u a spectrum analysis and PAR rating of the bulb on different ballast that way u can see how it performs...
basically u look to see where the spike is and thats the kelvin rating even so manufactuers bulbs will look different in different conditions
some common Kelvin rating bulbs are:
6500K- not typically used for tanks anymore since they are extremely yellow and will need lots of actinics to help even it out...
10K technically is supposed to be pure white... most cases still a tinge yellow
14K more blue
20K blue and purple even darker
its all personaly preference in bulb choice so decide what ur lookin for and then see... i always recommend asking questions and seeing tanks with certain bulbs for yourself to see what you like
its supposed to go from yellowish to bluish down the Kelvin scale... the lower the rating the higher the PAR usually and the yellower the bulbs... 10K is usually used for growth.... 14K for coloration and growth.... and 20K mainly to get colors to pop... but obviously u can get 400W 20K bulbs or even 1000W 20K bulbs and get some awesome growth and coloration... most average hobbyist use 150W or 250W bulbs so what i said above counts..
however u can get a bulbs par rating off of sanjays site he rates lots of bulbs and gives u a spectrum analysis and PAR rating of the bulb on different ballast that way u can see how it performs...
basically u look to see where the spike is and thats the kelvin rating even so manufactuers bulbs will look different in different conditions
some common Kelvin rating bulbs are:
6500K- not typically used for tanks anymore since they are extremely yellow and will need lots of actinics to help even it out...
10K technically is supposed to be pure white... most cases still a tinge yellow
14K more blue
20K blue and purple even darker
its all personaly preference in bulb choice so decide what ur lookin for and then see... i always recommend asking questions and seeing tanks with certain bulbs for yourself to see what you like
teen
Active Member
im running 14k phoenix as well. IME, that seems to be the most popular bulb among reef keepers today.
i would start out with a 14k bulb. im pretty sure you'll be happy with the color (especially a 14k phoenix bulb). if you want a little more blue, go with something like an XM 20k (very blue). if you thought the 14k was too much blue, go with something more yellow, like an XM 10k (very yellow). you have to change bulbs about 8 months anyway, so its not like your stuck for life with one color.
i would start out with a 14k bulb. im pretty sure you'll be happy with the color (especially a 14k phoenix bulb). if you want a little more blue, go with something like an XM 20k (very blue). if you thought the 14k was too much blue, go with something more yellow, like an XM 10k (very yellow). you have to change bulbs about 8 months anyway, so its not like your stuck for life with one color.
reefstar22
Member
I have pictures posted in DYI of my tank.
I personally use 20k bulbs. - I had 10k when I first got my lighting set. - 10k was a bit to yellow for me, but for some the 20k that I use are a bit to blue.
Best thing to honestly do is look in real life and see the differences. - Sometimes even pictures are off a bit.
I love the blue look SO much. - That I use 2 , 20k 400 watt bulbs and 4 55 watt atinic bulbs.
I personally use 20k bulbs. - I had 10k when I first got my lighting set. - 10k was a bit to yellow for me, but for some the 20k that I use are a bit to blue.
Best thing to honestly do is look in real life and see the differences. - Sometimes even pictures are off a bit.
I love the blue look SO much. - That I use 2 , 20k 400 watt bulbs and 4 55 watt atinic bulbs.
ledzep fan
Active Member
I would have to say 14k but thats just because i think it gives off enough of the blue