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DrHarryLopez

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I'm looking to change/ up my par from 10,000K to 20,000K
Which would you recommend?

250 Watt 20000K Metal Halide Bulb - German Radium
250 Watt 20000K Metal Halide Bulb - XM
250 Watt 20000K (CWA) MH Bulb - German Ushio
250 Watt 20000K MH Bulb - Blue Life SPS (South Pacific Sunlight)
250 Watt 22000K Metal Halide Bulb - Megachrome Blue

I hear all these guys whom have beautiful SPS dominated tanks having 400W lighting systems. I already have 250's so is uping the par helping out my SPS quest?

Also would going from 10K to 20K bring up my electric cost?
 

motortrendz

Mainland Aquatics
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i have a 220g myself, do you have 2 or 3 bulbs over the tank.. i only have 250w but 3 of them.. i think 400 might be too intense.. the 20,000k is VERY blue.. is that what your looking for? i have 14,000k pheonix bulbs they are the perfect mix of white and blue so that you can still see everything and it doesnt turn everything in your tank blue..
 

Wes

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Raleigh, NC
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Going from 10k to 20k will reduce your PAR.

The Kelvin rating of a bulb refers to the color, not PAR. The bluer bulbs (20K) tend to have significantly less PAR than the white bulbs (10k).

The amount of electricity consumed will not change if using the same ballasts.


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs
 

DrHarryLopez

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i have a 220g myself, do you have 2 or 3 bulbs over the tank.. i only have 250w but 3 of them.. i think 400 might be too intense.. the 20,000k is VERY blue.. is that what your looking for? i have 14,000k pheonix bulbs they are the perfect mix of white and blue so that you can still see everything and it doesnt turn everything in your tank blue..


i have 3

IMG00111-20100425-1556%20(Small).jpg
 

DrHarryLopez

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32   0   0
Going from 10k to 20k will reduce your PAR.

The Kelvin rating of a bulb refers to the color, not PAR. The bluer bulbs (20K) tend to have significantly less PAR than the white bulbs (10k).

The amount of electricity consumed will not change if using the same ballasts.


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

Ah ok
 

Lenny718

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Staten Island
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good luck.. i got mine from saltwater critters on here.. masterswimmer.. he can have them sent to you next day shipping great price.. go phoenix...
Another +1 lol. Saltwater Critters has the best prices and fast shipping (since there in our area) and also great guys. I got my reefkeeper lite from them and couldn't be happier with the customer service :)
 

DrHarryLopez

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Hi Tom

The MH's are about 8" above the water.

When the lights go on the shields are activated just under the lights across the tank. The problem is it takes away from the warp engines.
:wink1::lol:

IMG00110-20100425-1556%20(Small).jpg
 

masterswimmer

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NY
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Mike & Lenny, thanks very much for the kind words. We appreciate it.

Harry, seeing that you've got SE pendants, you're limited somewhat in your bulb selection. Not that you can't get any excellent bulbs, you can, just a lesser number of choices on the market.

The Radium 250w SE 20k bulb is top notch. Beautiful bulb, must love the blues though ;)

The CoralVue 250w SE 14k bulb is another nice bulb. Not nearly as blue as the Radium, but they are a blue hue IMO.

The Ushio 250w SE 10k bulb is a nice crisp white bulb. Great growth, ok color if you run actinic supplementation with the MH.

The Ushio 250w SE 14k bulb is more blue than their 10k bulb, so not 'crisp' white like the one above. Also, not nearly as blue as the CoralVue 250w SE 14k. Somewhere in between the Ushio 10k and the CoralVue 14k in color.

Hope this helps,
Russ
 

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