14K MH - Actinics necessary?

[taboo]

I finally decided to upgrade my lighting for my tank. I purchased a Hamilton 250 watt HQI Metal Halide Pendant (ReefStar) w/ a 14k DE bulb. Should I still supplement it with some actinics? If so, what is the best/most cost efficent way to do so? I also heard the 10K is better that the 14k, in terms of growth for the corals and also intensitity. Is this true? Just trying to make sure i got all my basis covered. Thanks!

Jerry

[JennM]

I use Hamilton 14K 175s on my 120 with no actinics... it's a nice blue, (I like blue, some folks prefer more white...) and everything's happy. Prior to that I had 12Ks but found the bulbs to be unstable and had to return several for strobing/flickering. Switched to the 14s and so have some of my customers (without actinics) and everybody using them, likes them!

HTH

Jenn

[taboo]

Thanks Jenn for the insight. Awesome. I like the slight blue tint in most reef tank lighting. Yeah, it would definately be a lot more convienent that i dont have to find a way to mount some addition actinics. Plus a lot better for my pocket book. heehee.