Which metal halide bulb?

[humuhumu1]

I know this is a very opinionated question and everyone will have a different answer, but if you could choose between a hamilton 14k, reeflux 12k, or coralvue 14k for a single ended 250 watt metal halide, which would you choose and why? If any one is running these bulbs on their aquarium please share. Also this bulb will be run without actinics. Thanks!

 

[chrisnif]

I cant give you a good answer because I run 175W, but after seeing a few tanks with different color temp (kelvin rating) bulbs I prefer to find the whitest 14K I can get my mitts on. I like "some" blue, but we're not 50 feet under water.
Basically the higher the K the bluer the bulb, but there is a trade off, the lower the K the better things grow. I know someone who runs a 6.7K (ugly ugly very yellow) bulb from 8am to 2pm, then runs a 20K from 2pm to whenever so he can view the tank in a blue hue. For a single bulb I think 14K will give you the best balance of blue for viewing and good color light for your corals

 

[nissan577]

Originally Posted by Chrisnif
http:///forum/post/3197150
]
Basically the higher the K the bluer the bulb, but there is a trade off, the lower the K the better things grow. I know someone who runs a 6.7K (ugly ugly very yellow) bulb from 8am to 2pm, then runs a 20K from 2pm to whenever so he can view the tank in a blue hue. For a single bulb I think 14K will give you the best balance of blue for viewing and good color light for your corals
that is true. i know of some reefers who that as well. great explanation.

 

[ibew41]

if you have an electronic ballast try the 20k radiums

 

[jpkboca]

I have the 12k reeflux, and like them. They are a bit blue, but I like the look.
I do no actintic supplementation, which is nice.