Switching from 10K to 14K...any problems???

s dubay · 07/16/2007, 12:02 PM

Basicly I like the look of 14K better but I'm wondering if I should have any problems switching bulbs?I have a single 150W 10K HQI that I have been using for about 6 months but the bulb is almost a year old and I want to change it.

I like the more "blue" look of the 14k,will this be a problem for my corals?I have heard that the 14K is less "intense" then 10k.. is this true?Mostly LPS/SOFTIES ,I also have a couple crocea clams.
Thanks in advance

DarG · 07/16/2007, 12:17 PM

Generally speaking, the higher the Kelvin the bluer the bulb and the less intense it is. You would have to worry about not having enough light if the new bulb has signifigantly lower output.

If your current bulb has a yellow look to it, there are some bulbs that are a crisp white with little or no yellow tint at all that have good output. Some have a little bit of a noticeable blue tint and still have pretty good par. But if you go to what could actually be considered a blue bulb, you could very well lose alot of output, maybe too much.

So, what bulb are you presently using and how blue do you want to go?

s dubay · 07/16/2007, 12:34 PM

Well I have been using coralife fixtures for the last 3 or so years.

The bulb is a coralife 10K HQI,and I would like to switch to a coralife 14K HQI.I have been told there is not much intensity difference unless you go to a 20K.Is this true?

I just want to make sure the corals and such will be alright with the 14K.
Thanks for the input

DarG · 07/16/2007, 01:01 PM

I have no idea about the Coralife bulbs or who makes the bulbs for Coralife. But it is generally true that the bluer the bulb (higher K) the less output. There are exceptions of course, there are so many different bulbs available. But it's not necessarily true that there is little intensity difference between 10000K and 14000K. Again, it depends on the individual bulbs but there can be large differences or small differences in output. Kelvin ratings are more often than not, innacurate. You can have 10000K bulbs that are bluer and lower in output than 14000K bulbs. Even from the same manufacturer sometimes. I am using Iwasaki 150 watt DE 50000K bulbs that look close to a true 15000K ... only some engineer at Iwasaki could possibly know where they came up with the 50000K rating.

As far as Coralife bulbs, you would have to get input from somebody who specifically tried both of the Coralife bulbs or try it yourself and see. There is no data that I know of that compared the two bulbs and Sanjay Joshi hasnt tested the bulbs so the info is not available in his database.

xtm · 07/16/2007, 02:57 PM

I went from 14k Hamilton to 10K Hamilton. I couldn't take the 14K's because they look so dim

DarG · 07/16/2007, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by xtm
I went from 14k Hamilton to 10K Hamilton. I couldn't take the 14K's because they look so dim

Hey XTM, how blue were those Hamilton 14000K's ? Ive always wondered if they were a bluer bulb.

xtm · 07/16/2007, 06:33 PM

Crisp white with a tinge of blue. You wouldn't need actinics if you go with these but they are super dim. (I had the 150w HQI) Don't get me wrong, I love the color.. In fact I would use the 14K again *IF* I decide to go with a 250-watt or higher.

07/16/2007, 12:02 PM	#1
s dubay Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: canada Posts: 414	Switching from 10K to 14K...any problems??? Basicly I like the look of 14K better but I'm wondering if I should have any problems switching bulbs?I have a single 150W 10K HQI that I have been using for about 6 months but the bulb is almost a year old and I want to change it. I like the more "blue" look of the 14k,will this be a problem for my corals?I have heard that the 14K is less "intense" then 10k.. is this true?Mostly LPS/SOFTIES ,I also have a couple crocea clams. Thanks in advance __________________ GO LEAFS GO!!!

07/16/2007, 12:34 PM	#3
s dubay Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: canada Posts: 414	Well I have been using coralife fixtures for the last 3 or so years. The bulb is a coralife 10K HQI,and I would like to switch to a coralife 14K HQI.I have been told there is not much intensity difference unless you go to a 20K.Is this true? I just want to make sure the corals and such will be alright with the 14K. Thanks for the input __________________ GO LEAFS GO!!!

07/16/2007, 02:57 PM	#5
xtm Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Panorama City, CA Posts: 4,703	I went from 14k Hamilton to 10K Hamilton. I couldn't take the 14K's because they look so dim __________________ Function before fashion Current Tank Info: 120g SPS Tank (48x24x24)

07/16/2007, 06:33 PM	#7
xtm Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Panorama City, CA Posts: 4,703	Crisp white with a tinge of blue. You wouldn't need actinics if you go with these but they are super dim. (I had the 150w HQI) Don't get me wrong, I love the color.. In fact I would use the 14K again IF I decide to go with a 250-watt or higher. __________________ Function before fashion Current Tank Info: 120g SPS Tank (48x24x24)

07/16/2007, 12:17 PM	#2
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	Generally speaking, the higher the Kelvin the bluer the bulb and the less intense it is. You would have to worry about not having enough light if the new bulb has signifigantly lower output. If your current bulb has a yellow look to it, there are some bulbs that are a crisp white with little or no yellow tint at all that have good output. Some have a little bit of a noticeable blue tint and still have pretty good par. But if you go to what could actually be considered a blue bulb, you could very well lose alot of output, maybe too much. So, what bulb are you presently using and how blue do you want to go?

07/16/2007, 01:01 PM	#4
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	I have no idea about the Coralife bulbs or who makes the bulbs for Coralife. But it is generally true that the bluer the bulb (higher K) the less output. There are exceptions of course, there are so many different bulbs available. But it's not necessarily true that there is little intensity difference between 10000K and 14000K. Again, it depends on the individual bulbs but there can be large differences or small differences in output. Kelvin ratings are more often than not, innacurate. You can have 10000K bulbs that are bluer and lower in output than 14000K bulbs. Even from the same manufacturer sometimes. I am using Iwasaki 150 watt DE 50000K bulbs that look close to a true 15000K ... only some engineer at Iwasaki could possibly know where they came up with the 50000K rating. As far as Coralife bulbs, you would have to get input from somebody who specifically tried both of the Coralife bulbs or try it yourself and see. There is no data that I know of that compared the two bulbs and Sanjay Joshi hasnt tested the bulbs so the info is not available in his database.