Its Decision time for me. 250W 10k or 6500?

[JRod]

Looking for a couple of opinions, so I posted also on another board. I've been doing all the reading, but now that I finally have the cash in hand, I have no idea what to do. Have a 120, 4x110w VHO's, and am going to add Halides. Opinions, I know that the 10k's are blue, will the 6500's with 2 or maybe even four actinics look fine, only thing is would this be too much wattage. Don't want to buy one setup and not like it. Its hard to get a feel for the colors from pictures on the internet. Thanks ahead of time.

Joe

[Spykey]

I like the looks of 10K's, The cheaper way to light your tank is with 10K's with no supplementation. I've personally had 10K's (175 watt) and 250 65K's with sup. There is not much difference between the look of the two. The 65K's looks a little yellow even with the sup. It doesn't bother me much.

Since you already have the VHO's I'd just get the 65K's. JMHO

A guy named Nathan did a color comparison with 400watt bulbs a few months ago. I know it is a different wattage than you were interested in, but you'll get the idea. Here it is.

http://www.reefcentral.com/library/lighting/mh_compare.htm

Larry

[bahrhoops]

I agree wiyh Larry , I use two 6500k MH's and two VHO superactinics and the lighting is wonderful.Prolly a little cheaper than the 10ks.
jmo steve

[Rovert]

Ditto these guys if looks is what you're after. My understanding is that the 6500k's (Iwasaki) are better for growth, but who cares, if they're too ugly to look at? :D

Many of us in the 'club' have 10KK's, so feel free to knock on a few doors to check out what they look like, before you invest the bucks.

[JRod]

Does anyone know of any petshops running 6500's so I can take a look. Seems everyone is running 10k's at the shops.

Thanks for the info Katspaw.

[ATLANTIS]

Joe,

I run both, but in 400w.
If you want to stop by and see, just give a shout.

[katspaw]

Joe,
I run 6500k 250 watt and if you want to stop over at my shop you can see what they look like. I am not all that crazy about them on this tank, but I am not about to tell the husband that. :D not after buying 4 of them for this tank. You get a whiter look with the pc's than you do with the VHO;s at least on my tank. I did a side by side today to show a friend. Big difference.

Tracey

[JRod]

Thanks everyone for your help, but I was forced to make a decision by my wife. She told me to chose so I did. And with alittle help from our friend Brian, I placed my order for the 6500's, and plan to run actinics with it. So depending on how good Brian feels to put in my order, it will either be Friday or Monday.

Thanks to those that offered their tanks for me to come and look at.

Joe.

[Nagel]

You should be happy with that setup. I have 2 x 250w iwasaki 6500k's and a pair of 95w VHO 7100k's on my 75 and I love the color so far. I have a 175w 10k with 45w of actinic on my 29, and it's nice, but the purples and flourescents jump out at ya in the 75 now with 190w of VHO 7100k.