10k to 14k?

[ERICinFL]

Well, it's about time to buy new bulbs and I'm debating on switching from 10k to 14k. I have two, 250watt EVC ballasts with the EVC 10k, SE bulbs and according to Sanjay's site, they put out 110PAR. Now, according to the chart, if I go with the 14k EVC bulb, I'll be dropping down to 71PAR and unfortunately, this is the highest PAR, 14K SE bulb I can run with the EVC ballast. What effects will this have on my Acros and other stonies, since I'm dropping to a lower intensity bulb? I currently have two, 110watt, T12s for actinics, but I think I'd like a little more blue. Should I stick with what I've got, or risk the lower PAR? Any and all opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[ERICinFL]

Nothing?

[jenate20]

i just did the switch on my metal halides from 10000k to 14000k. I went with pheonix bulbs wich i heard good things about. anyway at first it was a drastic difference but now its has grown on me . deffinately a bluer look to them but man the corals flourese much more . I read that it takes the bulbs about a hundred hours to fully break in and then they get a less blue look and a more crisp look. , I have only had them in for about 3 days now so im still waiting to see. The corals in my tank look great though and i like them quite well.

[jenate20]

i just did the switch on my metal halides from 10000k to 14000k. I went with pheonix bulbs wich i heard good things about. anyway at first it was a drastic difference but now its has grown on me . deffinately a bluer look to them but man the corals flourese much more . I read that it takes the bulbs about a hundred hours to fully break in and then they get a less blue look and a more crisp look. , I have only had them in for about 3 days now so im still waiting to see. The corals in my tank look great though

[smatter]

I burned a 250W Phoenix for about 200 hours on my HQI ballast, I didn't care for the look. All the colors looked washed out. The blue color was phoney looking, not realistic at all. Maybe they look better on an electronic ballast. I'm trying Ushio 14Ks now, they look pretty good. If they don't produce results I will go back to my old faithful Aqualine Buschkes.

[Ti]

Try the hammy 14K

[mg426]

I have to agree with Ti. I switched from XM 10ks to Hamilton 14k
I am very happy with them . Everything looks so much better.

[An3]

175w 14k iwasaki rock

[fishfanatic06]

14ks will make the colors of your corals way more flourescent. 10k will get you better growth though in most cases. It is usually a personal preference. I prefer 14ks. I am going to have my next bulb be the new 14k Aqua2 175watt Iwasaki. These things have par ratings higher than some 250 watt bulbs!

[Waxxiemann]

Well for what it's worth, I am running Ushio 10k's on an HQI ballast but I would definatly switch next time. Probably Geissmann 13.5's. I was shooting for a white look but this is just a touch to yellow for me.