Metal Halide Bulb K's??

[zxcv123]

I am still confused about this. The pendant I am getting comes with either 10000 or 14000 k bulbs. Which one is better for corals? Does It make any differemce? Keep in mind I hate Yellow. I have no exp.. with MH... Used 50/50 pcs forever...........`

Can I pleaz C some pix of what 14 and 10 k look like over a reef!!

Thanks alot!!!!

[Rippey]

10K is sposed to be pure daylight, 14K will have a really light blue tint to the white light. As for the rest I do not know.

[leveldrummer]

the higher the k, the more blue it looks, 10 k is usually pretty white, with anything below looking yellow. and 20 k is very blue. there is a shot in my build thread of 10k's but the water is kinda dingy so its not really true. but they are very white. people say the lower k gets better growth, but i think its more about the par a bulb has. meaning you can get good growth out of 20k's just get a good brand.

[reefermike1]

if u hate yellow id go with the 14k, although 10k is alot better as far as par and efficiency. just what ive learned researching a mh upgrade for myself

[abigtroutt]

Andy....I was just going to say the same thing...lol

[zxcv123]

does anybody have pix of the 14?
is 10k like 50 50 pc's?

[reefermike1]

i think i remember flyguy having a pic of xm15k next to a xm10k, id like to see it again also

[zxcv123]

[Wiskey]

My tank under only 250W XM10K



Whiskey

[Fly Guy]

Originally Posted by reefermike1

i think i remember flyguy having a pic of xm15k next to a xm10k, id like to see it again also

That pic you are referring to wasnt a fair evaluation of the color of the 10k becasue my camera is custom white balanced to my 15k bulb........the result made the 10 k look very yellow.........especially next to my 15k.

Youve got a pic of Whiskeys 10k.......heres a coupla 15k's....first pic is the tank i use actinics on.......second pic is the tank without

In all honesty that 10 k bulb is SO much brighter than the 15k that even if you did run actinics with it im not sure they would even be noticed

[Wiskey]

You have white ballance on your camera Fly? That is cool, I've been meaning to get a camera with that but I spent the money on tunze. My camera has 2 settings, close up and landscape

Whiskey

[Fly Guy]

Originally Posted by Wiskey

You have white ballance on your camera Fly? That is cool, I've been meaning to get a camera with that but I spent the money on tunze. My camera has 2 settings, close up and landscape

Whiskey

I just a few weeks ago figured out how to custom white balance my camera to the exact light my tanks give off..........it was the coolest thing ever. For the first time I am now taking pictures that are true to life color.......its pretty neat

In fact......i did that right before i took that pic of the 10k next to the 15k if you recall.......it was the same pic that reefermike was referring to and i couldnt figure it out at the time but later when i moved that 10k bulb to the other tank is when i realized thats what made that 10k come out SO yellow in that comparison pic

[Rippey]

In 20 years I hope my tank looks that good!!!

[reefermike1]

anyone got a pic of 14k lighting for this thread???

[leveldrummer]

john, 10k is gonna be like 10k daylights on pc's, its gonna be white. 14 k is gonna be closer to 50/50, and 20k is gonna be closer to all actinic, not that blue though. but very blue.