Metal Halides

[shawnaus17]

I just got my metal halide lighting system :D. My question is I ordered 14000K and the pack said 15000K is this going to be ok. Also it is on my 90 gallon 30" deep do I need actinic lights or not?

[wetWolger]

more of a personal prefrence on all those questions. honestly there really is no diff from 14k to 15k...no bulb is that percise

[Julio]

Iwasakis are that precise!

[wetWolger]

....i stand corrected

[integlikewhoa]

Its not going to be much of a diff. I find more difference between bulb brands the K rating. I have 2 diff 14k and one looks like a 10k and one looks like a 20k. So youll be fine just depends if you like a whiter or bluer look. The whiter the better growth.

[shawnaus17]

do I need actinic lights or not

[wetWolger]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6691274#post6691274 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shawnaus17
do I need actinic lights or not

you don't _need_ actinics for 10k or higher. So 14k should be just fine without actinics. You may _want_ them for astetics. But your corals will be just fine without them.

[steve the plumb]

14 k is fine but you may also want to use a 10 k for faster growth.This depends what type of corals u have.I used to run 1x 250 mh and it wasn't enough light.I have used a 14 k in the past and you will get good growth with it.If you go into the 20 k you will find acros tend to change colour.* hr per day is enough light don't bother to leave light on longer.