20k or 14k MH?

4218kris · 01/29/2009, 05:23 PM

well its about time for me to change my bulbs iv been using 250w 20k HQI DE but i hear there is more growth with 14k so im torn between the two what kelvin do you use?

frontosa_man80 · 01/29/2009, 05:29 PM

if your using 150watt DE or 250 watt DE i would go with a Phoenix 14k.

SE i use 12k Reeflux.

-jesse

ChrisKirkland · 01/29/2009, 05:31 PM

I use 20K SE Reeflux 250 watt bulbs

4218kris · 01/29/2009, 05:31 PM

yea i edited my post to contain more info they are 250W HQI DE

ChrisKirkland · 01/29/2009, 05:33 PM

Reeflux makes a 20K DE too.

4218kris · 01/29/2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChrisKirkland
Reeflux makes a 20K DE too.

cool, i have also been using cheap ebay bulbs so im sure they arent that great and have short life span

frontosa_man80 · 01/29/2009, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChrisKirkland
I use 20K SE Reeflux 250 watt bulbs

im thinking about going to those, do you have a picture of them over your tank you can post?

-jesse

Mystik Koralz · 01/29/2009, 06:02 PM

14k Hamilton 250 DE...crisp..

mwcahill · 01/29/2009, 06:50 PM

Just got some 400 20k XM's love them

scorpiocasper · 01/29/2009, 06:59 PM

Have 2 Reeflux 12k and 1 Reeflux 10k. Will probably go all 12 or 14 next time.

Garage1217 · 01/29/2009, 07:18 PM

dual 250w aqualine AB 20K's = bliss, but an empty wallet

Vanpire · 01/29/2009, 07:50 PM

At least I'm not the only one using 10K. I think I will switch to Reeflux 12K for my next bulbs.

Philwd · 01/29/2009, 09:46 PM

What color do you really want? What ballasts are you running? Reeflux really like the CV ballasts.

Phx14K on a HQI ballast will be whitish with blue hints. On a IC ballast they are blue.

I'm running Iwasaki 14K right now. Crisp white. Corals are getting a bit different colors than I got under the Phx. Purples are lighter and I think I like them better. Greens aren't as neon. Haven't decided if I like that or not. Don't have any yellows or reds right now.

My fish's colors seem more vibrant than under the Phx.

If I were going to go 20K it would be Radiums or Helios. Although the AB can be nice too.

400W it would be Reeflux or radiums.

Vanpire · 01/29/2009, 10:35 PM

I would like just a hint of more blues in my tank, just a hint.

scottallens · 01/29/2009, 10:54 PM

Jesse fire up that 20 K XM that I traded you. Its not that old.

KRASHPD · 01/30/2009, 05:41 AM

The Phoenix 14k are just a hint of blue to make the corals pop and has been my favorite by far. I was trying to go for the same look with T5s now but it just isn't quite the same.

4218kris · 01/30/2009, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Philwd
What color do you really want? What ballasts are you running? Reeflux really like the CV ballasts.

Phx14K on a HQI ballast will be whitish with blue hints. On a IC ballast they are blue.

I'm running Iwasaki 14K right now. Crisp white. Corals are getting a bit different colors than I got under the Phx. Purples are lighter and I think I like them better. Greens aren't as neon. Haven't decided if I like that or not. Don't have any yellows or reds right now.

My fish's colors seem more vibrant than under the Phx.

If I were going to go 20K it would be Radiums or Helios. Although the AB can be nice too.

400W it would be Reeflux or radiums.

i like the 20k so far just heard that i wouldnt get as good growth with 20k as i would with 12k or 14k. hamilton ballasts, never really knew the ballast changed how the bulb looks.

Philwd · 01/30/2009, 08:21 AM

Ballasts impact how much PAR also.

Backinthegame · 01/30/2009, 12:51 PM

20k XM's - Awesome growth and color

Bigred · 01/30/2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by frontosa_man80
if your using 150watt DE or 250 watt DE i would go with a Phoenix 14k.

SE i use 12k Reeflux.

-jesse

+1

bigjdotcom01 · 01/30/2009, 01:49 PM

I use Phoenix 14k's and love em. I bought some hamilton's and both times, they lasted less than 6 mos. (odd).

01/29/2009, 05:23 PM	#1
4218kris Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: mesa Posts: 1,360	20k or 14k MH? well its about time for me to change my bulbs iv been using 250w 20k HQI DE but i hear there is more growth with 14k so im torn between the two what kelvin do you use? Last edited by 4218kris; 01/29/2009 at 05:30 PM.

01/29/2009, 05:29 PM	#2
frontosa_man80 PROP member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Tan Valley, AZ Posts: 2,520	if your using 150watt DE or 250 watt DE i would go with a Phoenix 14k. SE i use 12k Reeflux. -jesse __________________ It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle Current Tank Info: 58 gallon with 2 MP20's and DIY LED lighting

01/29/2009, 05:31 PM	#3
ChrisKirkland Reef and Coral Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lexington, Ky. Posts: 1,339	I use 20K SE Reeflux 250 watt bulbs __________________ Christopher M Kirkland Work as an IT Tech Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon T-5 SPS Dominate

01/29/2009, 05:33 PM	#5
ChrisKirkland Reef and Coral Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lexington, Ky. Posts: 1,339	Reeflux makes a 20K DE too. __________________ Christopher M Kirkland Work as an IT Tech Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon T-5 SPS Dominate

01/29/2009, 06:02 PM	#8
Mystik Koralz Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 259	14k Hamilton 250 DE...crisp.. __________________ Once a reefer, Always a reefer... Current Tank Info: 75g & 40g reef tanks

View Poll Results: What kelvin do you use
10k	3	7.32%
12k	5	12.20%
14k	21	51.22%
20k	12	29.27%
Voters: 41. You may not vote on this poll

01/29/2009, 06:50 PM	#9
mwcahill Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Portland OR Posts: 672	Just got some 400 20k XM's love them __________________ Marty Cahill Current Tank Info: 3.5 Gallon PICO glass tank

01/29/2009, 06:59 PM	#10
scorpiocasper Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Tan Valley, AZ Posts: 968	Have 2 Reeflux 12k and 1 Reeflux 10k. Will probably go all 12 or 14 next time. __________________ Nicole and Rick Current Tank Info: 180 gal mixed reef with 3 x 250 XM MH (14k), 4 T5s (10k and actinic), 2 x Koralia 4, CPR HOB Fuge, 1/4 Current chiller, skimmer and FX5. 45 gal. flat back hex with overflow and sump (seahorses and garden eels) & 55 g planted fresh

01/29/2009, 07:18 PM	#11
Garage1217 GET OFF MY LAWN Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Globally Posts: 5,869	dual 250w aqualine AB 20K's = bliss, but an empty wallet __________________ No great genius has ever existed without some touch of madness ~ Aristotle If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it? ~ Albert Einstein I'm just as bent as ever. Hellishly so ~ Captain Jack Sparrow Current Tank Info: Systems and goodies by Lee-Mar / Coralvue / Neptune Systems / Jager / Spectrapure / Cree / Meanwell + more!

01/29/2009, 07:50 PM	#12
Vanpire Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 580	At least I'm not the only one using 10K. I think I will switch to Reeflux 12K for my next bulbs. __________________ Today is a good day. Tomorrow will be even better.

01/29/2009, 09:46 PM	#13
Philwd Premium Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Gilbert, Az Posts: 4,098	What color do you really want? What ballasts are you running? Reeflux really like the CV ballasts. Phx14K on a HQI ballast will be whitish with blue hints. On a IC ballast they are blue. I'm running Iwasaki 14K right now. Crisp white. Corals are getting a bit different colors than I got under the Phx. Purples are lighter and I think I like them better. Greens aren't as neon. Haven't decided if I like that or not. Don't have any yellows or reds right now. My fish's colors seem more vibrant than under the Phx. If I were going to go 20K it would be Radiums or Helios. Although the AB can be nice too. 400W it would be Reeflux or radiums.

01/29/2009, 10:35 PM	#14
Vanpire Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 580	I would like just a hint of more blues in my tank, just a hint. __________________ Today is a good day. Tomorrow will be even better.

01/29/2009, 10:54 PM	#15
scottallens Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 397	Jesse fire up that 20 K XM that I traded you. Its not that old. __________________ scotti Current Tank Info: 24 gallon HQI nanocube, in build process

01/30/2009, 05:41 AM	#16
KRASHPD Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Surprise, AZ Posts: 1,279	The Phoenix 14k are just a hint of blue to make the corals pop and has been my favorite by far. I was trying to go for the same look with T5s now but it just isn't quite the same. __________________ "Only when the tide goes out do you discover who's been swimming naked" - Warren Buffet

01/30/2009, 08:21 AM	#18
Philwd Premium Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Gilbert, Az Posts: 4,098	Ballasts impact how much PAR also.

01/30/2009, 12:51 PM	#19
Backinthegame Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Elk Grove, CA Posts: 1,252	20k XM's - Awesome growth and color __________________ Kevin Current Tank Info: Almost out of the hobby

01/30/2009, 01:49 PM	#21
bigjdotcom01 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Valley of the Sun Posts: 786	I use Phoenix 14k's and love em. I bought some hamilton's and both times, they lasted less than 6 mos. (odd).