14k vs 20k par bulb?

Mongo77 · 02/11/2014, 12:16 AM

Which bulb would you guys reccomend? A 14k par 38 bulb or the 20k version. I was looking at the dimmable ones on coral compulsions.

Mongo77 · 02/11/2014, 04:26 PM

I'm wondering which one will make will make the corals pop without making my tank just look blue. Also wanted to make sure they could support easy sps if I decide to try them. Does anybody have either of these bulbs?

zachogden · 02/11/2014, 04:31 PM

PAR is a measure of intensity, kelvin is a measure of color. That being said, it's usually a good idea to use a mixture of colors to achieve a more natural spectrum

Squidmotron · 02/11/2014, 04:31 PM

I'd say it's important that you look. Many like 20K. My favorite is 14K, generally. Also depends on the brand.

Course, you can always change bulbs.

Mongo77 · 02/11/2014, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squidmotron

I'd say it's important that you look. Many like 20K. My favorite is 14K, generally. Also depends on the brand.

Course, you can always change bulbs.

They are par 38 bulbs. At a $100 a pop I don't want to buy the wrong one and I don't know anybody that has them so I can see the difference. That are a mixture of colors

Mongo77 · 02/11/2014, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachogden

PAR is a measure of intensity, kelvin is a measure of color. That being said, it's usually a good idea to use a mixture of colors to achieve a more natural spectrum

I believe that par 38 is a reference to the bulb size and not actually how many par's that they put out. These are 24 watts.

nanoreefer1000 · 02/11/2014, 06:31 PM

What different leds do they use?

Mongo77 · 02/11/2014, 07:43 PM

The 14 k are
12 3watt running at 2w each
LED Color Combination
2 Deep Blue 455nm
4 Neutral White 4500k
2 Cool Blue 470nm
2 True Violet 420nm
1 Deep Red 660nm
1 Cyan 495nm

And the 20 k are
12 3watt running at 2w each
LED Color Combination
4 Deep Blue 455nm
2 Cool Blue 470nm
2 Neutral White 4500k
2 True Violet 420nm
1 Deep Red 660nm
1 Cyan 495nm

zachogden · 02/12/2014, 12:51 AM

Whoops my bad!

Mongo77 · 02/13/2014, 03:44 PM

Any other opinions?

Jeff000 · 02/13/2014, 04:43 PM

I prefer the 20k color myself.

You'll really have to look at a tank with 14k and one with 20k and pick what you like better. And pictures won't help you in this case.

02/11/2014, 12:16 AM	#1
Mongo77 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: New York Posts: 146	14k vs 20k par bulb? Which bulb would you guys reccomend? A 14k par 38 bulb or the 20k version. I was looking at the dimmable ones on coral compulsions.

02/11/2014, 04:31 PM	#4
Squidmotron Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 675	I'd say it's important that you look. Many like 20K. My favorite is 14K, generally. Also depends on the brand. Course, you can always change bulbs. __________________ .................................................. Current Tank Info: 210 Gallon "Mixed Reef" Tank (84 inches wide)

02/11/2014, 06:31 PM	#7
nanoreefer1000 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bay Area,CA Posts: 1,040	What different leds do they use? __________________ 6 gallon reef

02/11/2014, 04:26 PM	#2
Mongo77 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: New York Posts: 146	I'm wondering which one will make will make the corals pop without making my tank just look blue. Also wanted to make sure they could support easy sps if I decide to try them. Does anybody have either of these bulbs?

02/11/2014, 04:31 PM	#3
zachogden Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 88	PAR is a measure of intensity, kelvin is a measure of color. That being said, it's usually a good idea to use a mixture of colors to achieve a more natural spectrum

02/11/2014, 07:43 PM	#8
Mongo77 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: New York Posts: 146	The 14 k are 12 3watt running at 2w each LED Color Combination 2 Deep Blue 455nm 4 Neutral White 4500k 2 Cool Blue 470nm 2 True Violet 420nm 1 Deep Red 660nm 1 Cyan 495nm And the 20 k are 12 3watt running at 2w each LED Color Combination 4 Deep Blue 455nm 2 Cool Blue 470nm 2 Neutral White 4500k 2 True Violet 420nm 1 Deep Red 660nm 1 Cyan 495nm

02/12/2014, 12:51 AM	#9
zachogden Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 88	Whoops my bad!

02/13/2014, 03:44 PM	#10
Mongo77 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: New York Posts: 146	Any other opinions?

02/13/2014, 04:43 PM	#11
Jeff000 Electrician Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,653	I prefer the 20k color myself. You'll really have to look at a tank with 14k and one with 20k and pick what you like better. And pictures won't help you in this case.