Since I'm replacing bulbs...MH

[bluemerle]

I'm looking at Hellolights site...anyway...I have 2 x 150W 10,000K HQI-MH that probably need replacing as well. Whats the diff between 10,000k and 14,000k? And the brands! there are so many to choose from, anyone have any reccomendations?

Since my puffer is gone I don't think I'll be replacing him afterall so I may start getting into hard corals...currently I have zoa's, bta's, and atl meteor shower and some shrooms

 

[DoctaQ]

10k bulbs tend to have the highest par of the 3 common colors
14k will be a little bluer and have the lowest par
20k will be fairly blue and have medium par

everyone has thier own idea on what works best and what gets the most growth but those are facts.

if you like the way your tank looks now get another 10k bulb, if you want to try something bluer go for it, you would probably be able to sell a bulb that only has a few hours on it.

 

[Jocko]

20k has higher PAR than 14k? Was that a typo?

 

[JayM]

yes., it was a typo

In general, the higher the K rating, the lower the PAR

 

[DoctaQ]

http://cnidarianreef.com/G180/lamps.php

not completeley law but the general rule of lower k=higher par isnt always true

look specifically for the xm, cv

sun does keep it from being absolute truth though, and im sorry about that.

at any rate, par is not the end all of lighting measurement but i think first and foremost you should pick it for appearance. its pointless buying a 100 dollar bulb if you decide its too blue or yellow for you