10k MH bulbs

[jovreef]

YUCK YUCK YUCK! Thats all I gotta say... I got my 10k DE XM bulb ... put it in and YUCK! Once you've had 14k never try 10k!!!!!!

It looks like someone Pee'd in my water

Someone was over at my house this weekend and said they had a 10k XM that was really yellow too...then they flipped it over and it shown more white... theirs was an SE though...think my DE needs a flip?

Will it burn in more white? OHHH I really hope so!!!!!

*sigh* oh well... if it visably boosts my growth I can live with the 10k for the life of the bulb. I swear its 14k Phoenix next and forever after though!!!!

Thanks for reading my rant! have a wonderful Reeferiffic day all!!!!

 

[cobraz]

I totally agree... I hate my 10ks - to white and washes out my colors. I have VHOs in my other tank and some of the same corals take on a totally different look. I want to by 14Ks but at $ 90.00 apiece - I will wait till they need replacing... 4 months to go

 

[jovreef]

HAHA 10 months to go here

 

[dz6t]

Illuming.com sells 14K phoenix for $50 (150w)

 

[Mike A]

They should whiten up as they burn in, but then they may be too white when compared with the 14k bulbs you were running.

What ballast are you using ?

 

[clamm]

Don't forget to try our sponsors! Support those that support the BRS! Sure it might be a few bucks more, but look at what it allows the BRS to do...bring in great speakers and hold meetings.

Plus you have the added benefit of knowing who you bought them from.

Illuming.com sells 14K phoenix for $50 (150w)

 

[jovreef]

I was expecting the bulb to be super white ... I've seen plenty of 10k tanks... I just did not expect it to be so yellow to start with... could just be me too since I switched from the 14k.

I've spoke with the bulb and told it it better produce handfull size colonies by the time its time to replace or I'll be taking it outside and stepping on it! lets hope the bulb listened

 

[mchud]

i switched from a 10k to a 14 and then swapped back to check. the 14 looks so much better to me and even had other people say the tank looks better with the 14. but it is all a matter of taste. but hey if i didnt change to the 14 i would think the 10 looked great.

 

[stevenp]

When is someone going to make a 12K? These don't exist do they?

<<edit>> just Yahoo'd 12K and it appears that they are being made, they're just not that popular for some reason. I would think 12k would be a nice mix.

Steve

 

[JohnK]

It sounds like your suffering from K-temp shock. The bulbs do burn in a bit over time, and you get used to the color. After a few days you'll probally be excited about the intensity and less concerned about the yellow/white color.

Give it some time, and remember to run the lights a good bit higher than usual for a while to let your livestock adjust to the jump in intensity.

To the eye the 10k's look like they are all yellow. To the corals they see at least as much blue, but a whole lot more of the rest of the spectrum.

Jeremy at CRA has some nice euro 12k bulbs in SE, not sure on DE

Hang in there and maybe stop threatening the bulbs, you might traumatize them.

jk

 

[dz6t]

I think all the K rating is relative and highly depend on manufactures. For example, Croalife 10K is whiter than AB 10K after they stop labeling 13K as AB 1000. Also, Jebo (God forbid) 20K is more like 14K of Pheonix. The CurrentUSA 14K is closer to Coralife 20K. Confused yet? The 20K bulb "AquaUniverse" sell is close to 10K of Coralife. I have two CRA 10K bulbs and they are not even the same color.

 

[jovreef]

Gisiman makes a 13k... I had thought about ordering that one but there was very little info on it and it was $80.

I am in K-temp shock ... lol I know... and admitting is the first step right? Or is that just for addicts.

 

[dz6t]

BLV 13K is the best ~10K ish bulb I 've seen. Very white.
I might add that CurrentUSA 14K is kinda purple

 

[Chris L]

Gisiman makes a 13k... I had thought about ordering that one but there was very little info on it and it was $80.

I am in K-temp shock ... lol I know... and admitting is the first step right? Or is that just for addicts.

and your not addicted ???? lol

 

[MAReefer1]

I have a 10k, and I actually kind of like it, but then again,
I have never used a 14k bulb, so its hard for me to tell

 

[ReeferMedic]

All I can say is, I love my 14ks!

 

[agent6473]

I use phoenix 14k 250DE, very nice. If you want your corals to grow faster, add more flow. That's what I learned.

 

[etszoo]

Water clarity also affects the look of your bulbs. I try to filter (scrub) water
once a week...makes a huge difference. I find some flake foods will discolor my water over time.

 

[PenMan]

It is hard to judge when you are mixing bulbs in the same tank. I have been using the XM 10K in the tank and thought that they were a good compromise on color and PAR. I won a couple of Megachrome 14K and have been adding them the tank. They do seem slightly bluer, but also to be just a little less bright than the XM 10K. Not sure what I am going to stick with. I had been changing one every 3 months. But after hearing Steve Tyree suggesting to change in the late spring so that you can run lights short time in summer, that is now my plan.

 

[jovreef]

Well I raised my MH about 6 inches & angled the PC actinic alittle in & it seems to mix the colors alittle better.
Nice and mostly white not pee color anymore !!! Its still has a slight yellow tint but its alot more pleasing on the eyes now.

I can live with this color I just hope I'm still getting a good amount more PAR with it that high.