Light Bulb Question

tinmanny · 12/08/2007, 05:30 PM

What does everyone consider the best all around metal halide buld for a reef tank 10,000 14,000 or 20,000 or even other numbers like 15,000
I am wondering what bulbs to buy for my 90 reef to promote growth and still have that bright colorfull look
all comments welcome
thanks Manny

also brands would be appreciated

Capt_Cully · 12/08/2007, 05:42 PM

That's a wide open, much debated topic. I'd bet just about every one on RC would have a slightly different opinion.

Check out the lighting and filtration forum.

That said, personally, I love the bluish look of 20k's but have not tried them because they supposedly don't promote as much growth as say 10k's. 14k's would be in between that.

I'm using 14k's now, but am switching back to 10k's to encourage growth in my new tank.

You can always supplement MH bulbs with PC's, VHO's, or T5's to get a nice spectum of color. You can fine tune it to what you think looks good for your particular tastes.

SCR · 12/08/2007, 05:52 PM

I have 10k now, but going to 14K to slow down the growth.

Capt_Cully · 12/08/2007, 06:00 PM

that's a nice problem to have! I had 10k's in my 72 and stuff bloomed. It still grows now that I'm in my 180, but switching to 14k's has definitly slowed growth for me. Gonna go back to 10k's for a year to help it grow out. Then I'll go back to 14k's or maybe even 20's.

12/08/2007, 05:30 PM	#1
tinmanny Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 235	Light Bulb Question What does everyone consider the best all around metal halide buld for a reef tank 10,000 14,000 or 20,000 or even other numbers like 15,000 I am wondering what bulbs to buy for my 90 reef to promote growth and still have that bright colorfull look all comments welcome thanks Manny also brands would be appreciated __________________ Manny Current Tank Info: 90 40 30

12/08/2007, 05:42 PM	#2
Capt_Cully Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 13,574	That's a wide open, much debated topic. I'd bet just about every one on RC would have a slightly different opinion. Check out the lighting and filtration forum. That said, personally, I love the bluish look of 20k's but have not tried them because they supposedly don't promote as much growth as say 10k's. 14k's would be in between that. I'm using 14k's now, but am switching back to 10k's to encourage growth in my new tank. You can always supplement MH bulbs with PC's, VHO's, or T5's to get a nice spectum of color. You can fine tune it to what you think looks good for your particular tastes. __________________ People say cars are a bad investment. Those people don't have reef tanks. Current Tank Info: 120, Radion Gen 2 Pro x 2

12/08/2007, 06:00 PM	#4
Capt_Cully Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 13,574	that's a nice problem to have! I had 10k's in my 72 and stuff bloomed. It still grows now that I'm in my 180, but switching to 14k's has definitly slowed growth for me. Gonna go back to 10k's for a year to help it grow out. Then I'll go back to 14k's or maybe even 20's. __________________ People say cars are a bad investment. Those people don't have reef tanks. Current Tank Info: 120, Radion Gen 2 Pro x 2

12/08/2007, 05:52 PM	#3
SCR Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central, Fl Posts: 708	I have 10k now, but going to 14K to slow down the growth.