ok so I have 150W HQI on my reef tank right now, I believe it has a 10K USHIO. I was wondering if anyone knew the par ratings between the different 150 HQI bulbs, I couldnt find any. Really looking between the 10K and 15K ushio and XM bulbs. Thanks.
HQI bulb question
- Thread starter glxtrix
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It doesn't have everything, but it has some stuff. All fields have to be filled out to generate a graph.
I just got a 15K XM from Doug. I really like the way it looks, but I hope it's not some POS. From the spectral plots, the 20K does have a really high blue spike and the rest of the spectrum is a close match, but they'd have to have matching scales for the par graphs on Sanjay's site to get an accurate reading.
FWIW I have an Aqualight Pro 150 MH and 2 x 65W actinics. It came with a 10K Coralvue I believe. It was too white so I went to a Phoenix 14K. With actinics it was a nice "blue" but not too much. I just recently changed to a 20K XM and it is really blue. I had to change 1 of my actinics to a 50/50. With all that said (and no facts to back it up!) I feel that I get the best look and growth with the Phoenix 14K.
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I too like the Phoenix 14k (since I just got it.) I haven't had a chance to compare it with the Hamilton 14k but so far, all the corals are colored and glowing brightly.
is there a huge growth difference between say a 10K and 14K? Plus would it be ok to have clams and 14K light? I know most say 10K's are the prefered light, then again I know people who have clams and 20K lights.....hmmm.
Since I work from home and see my tank all day I would rather give up a little on the growth side for the "pleasantness" of a bluer bulb like the 14K. I saw a huge difference in the appearance of my Zoanthids, Softies, and LPS when going bluer.
yeah I can only imagine.... I'll prolly buy a 14K and test the PAR on both, granted the 10K will be a bit older and the PAR will be less, but at least I can get an idea. And if for some reason I dont end up going with it, I'm sure someone on here will buy a barely used 14K bulb.
I like the 15K XM look quite a lot. Granted, a 250w over 25g means that even a lower par K rating is plenty of light. I have 6 clams -- 2 derasa, 3 crocea, and 1 maxima -- under it doing great with plenty of growth.
I think when I set up my 60 cube, however, I'll go back to a 10K bulb and use supplemental T5 actinics to get the effects of a 15K, but the PAR of a 10K.
I think when I set up my 60 cube, however, I'll go back to a 10K bulb and use supplemental T5 actinics to get the effects of a 15K, but the PAR of a 10K.
