mh bulb color chart or pics?

spamreefnew · 02/24/2010, 12:12 PM

it seems every time i order new light bulbs for my reef i end up with a new unexpected color. i have had 10000ks that look blue and some that look yellow and i have had 15000ks that look pink and now i have a new 15000 k that looks super yellow and a 20000k that is so blue to the point of being dim. what gives? is there a standard to go by? a chart perhaps? i like the super blue look but i am afraid that the corals wont grow well under something that looks to be about 29000k. any kind of color chart or tank pictures showing me just how blue i can go without hindering growth would be great. thanks ps i am talking about 150w de hqis on mag ballast x-2 over 45 gallon cube tank

Zebodog · 02/24/2010, 01:15 PM

Not much standardization in Kelvin ratings between manufacturers, I'm afraid.

Pictures would be handy but again, really wouldn't be helpful since we all perceive colours slightly differently. Each monitor would display colours differently as well, so two people looking at exactly the same picture will see different colours.

For your application I would look at Phoenix 14k or Radium 20k; probably leaning towards the Radium as you stated that you prefer a "super blue." I haven't tried the Radium's myself but am currently using 2X150w Phoenix 14k's on mags and like them. Prior to this I was using the Aquaconnect 14.5k which, by all accounts is the same as the Phoenix however I find the Aquaconnects to be a little whiter. I'm toying with the idea of 14.5 G-man next as I understand they are a nice crisp white with a hint of blue.

02/24/2010, 12:12 PM	#1
spamreefnew Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: rhodeisland Posts: 1,491	mh bulb color chart or pics? it seems every time i order new light bulbs for my reef i end up with a new unexpected color. i have had 10000ks that look blue and some that look yellow and i have had 15000ks that look pink and now i have a new 15000 k that looks super yellow and a 20000k that is so blue to the point of being dim. what gives? is there a standard to go by? a chart perhaps? i like the super blue look but i am afraid that the corals wont grow well under something that looks to be about 29000k. any kind of color chart or tank pictures showing me just how blue i can go without hindering growth would be great. thanks ps i am talking about 150w de hqis on mag ballast x-2 over 45 gallon cube tank

02/24/2010, 01:15 PM	#2
Zebodog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 692	Not much standardization in Kelvin ratings between manufacturers, I'm afraid. Pictures would be handy but again, really wouldn't be helpful since we all perceive colours slightly differently. Each monitor would display colours differently as well, so two people looking at exactly the same picture will see different colours. For your application I would look at Phoenix 14k or Radium 20k; probably leaning towards the Radium as you stated that you prefer a "super blue." I haven't tried the Radium's myself but am currently using 2X150w Phoenix 14k's on mags and like them. Prior to this I was using the Aquaconnect 14.5k which, by all accounts is the same as the Phoenix however I find the Aquaconnects to be a little whiter. I'm toying with the idea of 14.5 G-man next as I understand they are a nice crisp white with a hint of blue.