what kelvin to use

chrismcqueen · #1 12/19/2007, 09:49 PM

i am new to the reef tank hooby. 6 months old at it. i ahve a perfect 265 gallon tank. 72 " coralife pro hqi 250w x 3, 4 96w atinic bulbs and the lunar lights. currently the coralife has 10000k coralife bulbs in them. i notice when i go to some of the lfs's i see there tank has more of a blue tint. so i was thinging of going with 250 xm 15000k bulbs to get my tank bluer. i need to know if this is going to affect any of my coral of which is mixed with hard and soft corals. all opinions greatly appricated.

bonddog · #2 12/19/2007, 09:54 PM

i just changed my bulbs today and i had 3 250 watt 10000 hqi mh and noticed my tank was looking yellow so i canged my bulbs to 14000 and i deffinately got a bluer look now looks much nicer

stevelkaneval · #3 12/19/2007, 10:16 PM

as you go up in kelvin you do go down a little in intensity. but not much i think you should be fine. my buddy has a 250 1400k and it looks awsome. he has softies,sps,and lps.

chrismcqueen · #4 12/19/2007, 10:17 PM

thanks a million just curious what name brand bulb do you like most. the mon i have been hearing about is xm but i know their is much more. which did you get?

kau_cinta_ku · #5 12/19/2007, 10:25 PM

I love the XM's however stick with either the 10k or 20k's as the 15k has the lowest par out of the 3.

I love the look of XM 20k's though

chrismcqueen · #6 12/19/2007, 10:31 PM

so the 20k's are stronger than the 15k's. if i put the 20ks in will my tank be too blue or will i not be able to tell the difference between 15k and 20k. i have heard some say to the human there is no difference between the two. thats for the quick reply

kau_cinta_ku · #7 12/19/2007, 10:39 PM

I can't say color wise for sure, as I have never seen a 15k bulb. but according to sanjay (aquarium lighting expert) the 20ks give off more par than the 15k's XM brand wise.

to me with the 20k's it isn't very blue just a nice blue tint

but I like the blue color and I may aslo add some VHO atanic supplements to make it more blue.

chrismcqueen · #8 12/19/2007, 10:43 PM

kau_cinta_ku thanks for everything i will get the xm 20k cant wait will let you know.

kau_cinta_ku · #9 12/19/2007, 10:46 PM

great, and yes LMK how you like them even if it is a PM :d good luck.

rustynutzz · #10 12/19/2007, 10:47 PM

I use 2 vho super actinic r's 72" and 2 50/50's from here http://www.uvlco.com/aqualamps.htm The superactinics make my entire house look like a disco club