Should I put a Iwasaki 65K or an Ushio 10K in 2 250 PFO MH's?

[djheywood]

The title about says it all. I seem to like a tank that has more white/blue light than yellow/white light. I just want to make sure the 10K's would be bright enough. I think I'm more interested in colorful SPS than fast growth rates, and I want to keep clams. The tank is 20" deep. I currently have 4 55 watt PC's that will be used for actinic supplementaiton. With that amount of 03 I would like to know what 250 watt bulb all you MH experts out there would use?

Thanks for the help.

Brian

[naser]

well im running a iwasaki and a 10k on either side of my reef right now. the 10 and 6500k's all almost the same as far as brightness. the 10k will color your corals up alot nicer than the 6500k will. if you really want color go for the 20000k hqi's. those are what im going to next.

[golfish]

Brian,
Your going to use PFO standard ballast, Right? I say go with the Iwasaki's. They produce a lot more par then the standard 10K's. You saw the color of my tank. With two 6.5K's and your PC's it will probably be a little better color then I have......

Mark

[djheywood]

thanks guys. I was kind of thinking what you suggested Mark. I figure with 4 actinics it should balance the 65K nicely. Plus they are almost half the price!

Can't wait for x-mas.

You know you hit rock bottom when you are really excited to get light bulbs for x-mas!

[naser]

trust me if you like yellow then get the 65k's.. even with two 140 watt vho's its still yellow. the 10 however isnt yellow at all.

[djheywood]

naser could you post a picture of your tank. I'd like to see the difference in brightness and color of the two bulbs. (Although I know it won't be as good as seeing it in real life.

Thanks,

Brian

[naser]

ok heres the pics. remember this my camera makes everything alittle more blue than it is.
first is the 6500k

[naser]

and heres the 10000k

[djheywood]

Thanks for the comparison. it's a tough choice. I have a few months so I think I'll just mill it over.


You tank looks good, and I have to admit, I like the second picture better. I might go with the 65K's first then if I don't like them I'll upgrade in 6 months or so.

Thanks again for the help.

[naser]

there both bright as hell. im actually movin on to 20k hqi's soon. for my new 125. im hoping 2 400watters can cover the tank.