Bulb suggestions.

[respite]

I have a pair of 175 watt halides over a 55 gallon. Currently running xm 10k bulbs. I have no antinic supplement.

Is there a 14k or 16k bulb out there that i could use? At only 175 watts, i dont want to lose a lot of output..

Whould i be better off sticking with the 10k?

[griffey83]

I personally love the look of 10k's in my tank. I think it looks more natural then the blue 20k's, others will strongly disagree because they think 20 k's bring out more colors.

I personally would stick with what you have and add PC's with actinic bulbs to get a little blue hue in the tank.

In my tank I have it set up so the PC's come on for the first hour, a dawn like appearence for the tank, and have just the PC's on for the last hour, dusk appearence for the tank. I think it is cool trying to make it as much like the wild as possible. Every little effort helps

[respite]

I really like the look of 14k bulbs. Dont like the look of 20k.

[manderx]

i have a 175w aquaconnect 14. real nice and the numbers say it's got about the same output as a 10K ushio. but a bit pricey at 100 bucks a bulb. though you save money on not needing actinics, so it evens out.

i'm going to get the phoenix 14k 250w DE for my main tank, it's an identical bulb, though i don't think it comes in 175w.

word is AB is coming out with a 16k bulb that is probably very similar.

[cmoresps]

175w and 250w 20ks always appear much bluer than 400w 20ks, I personaly wouldnt run a 175w or 250w 20k. In the past I had tremendous results with 175w 10ks and 2 vho actinics, gave a real nice look.

[AQUAN8TOR]

I agree about the 175 vs. 250 or 400. The 20k bulbs in lower wattages are just too dim for my taste. If you want to see some XM 175w 20k bulbs in action, come look at Richmond Aquarium. I put 20k's in the front 220g b/c the live rock is so high up, 10k's would bleach all the coralline. The other tanks in the store have 175w 10k XM's. HTH. PM me if you need directions to the shop.

[respite]

Do you sell 14/16k bulbs out of the shop? Any you would recommend as metal halide only lights on a standard 55 gallon?

[strictly marine]

I know coralvue 14K has a really nice color. I know a lot of people with the coralvues and love the color and price.

[Charlie Davidson]

If you like the 10k xm with it, I know of at least one tank that has some very good looking sps , that uses only 10k XMs. Premium aguatics have a retro-fit 55w artinic for @$40 (as cheap as replacment bulb)

[AQUAN8TOR]

Coralvue does have a nice color. The shop I work at only has 10 and 20K XM bulbs. I personally don't like 20K that much, unless it is supplemented with actinic-white (50/50) VHO bulbs, which, IMHO, defeats the point of a higher kelvin bulb----that is having the need for only one type of bulb.

[Charlie Davidson]

that was supposed to be, if you like the 10k xms stick with them! BTW, the retro was a 65w 50/50 smartlight for $40 . Still a good deal!

I tried a CV 14k and really like it! I am running MH only right now. But I am going to put on some t-5 artinics, just to run in mornings and evenings. that way I do not have to run MHs 10-12 hours a day.

[Charlie Davidson]

What ever happed to the XMs 15k? I have yet to see them on the market. they might be worth your looking into, if you want to stick with XM.
Hey Sushi, I have 5-6 different type bulbs right now and I and allways playing around with different lighting, If you what to come by and see some differences in bulbs- PM me.

[Charlie Davidson]

BTW, the only 175s I have are 5,500k and I do not have ballast for them any more. you are welcome to take 1-2 and try them. the tank/ they were on , was a 55g- with- 40w artinics!

[respite]

Id like to see the hamilton 14k in 175 somewhere..

[ranceego]

just add some vho actinic. old faithfull, with 10k 175. its how we started our reefs and never fails.