MH Bulb Decision Requires Lighting Gurus

[sleeman]

So it is about time to replace my 250W MH Bulbs. I am currently running the Sun Aquatics 10k's. The Ballasts are M58 ballasts.
I found this website on RC.
http://www.cnidarianreef.com/
The extract for my ballastfrom this site:

PFO Standard
Lamp.........PAR
Iwasaki......691
XM10K.......600
AB13K.......566
BLSW........514
EVC10K.....512
SUN10K.....510
Ushio ........485
CV10K.......324
SBURST12K.309
Radium.....283
CV20K......275
PFO 13K....248
CV15K......242
XM20K......242
SUN14K....228
HM14K......214
CV12K......190
SUN20K....148

I am not willing to put in a Iwasaki 6500k bulb due to the color.
I understand some people love the Iwasaki....
So this chart shows best bulb I could put in would be the XM 10k. Best PAR Value.
Now, we all know that we have to satisfy our eyes, or our better halfs eyes if we know what is best.
On top of that, do you not get better growth and color from higher Kelvin bulbs?
So my real question is "How much PAR are you willing to sacrafice to get the bulb you want?"
I was looking at the PFO - Venture 13K, but with a PAR of less than half of the XM, maybe I am better to run the Xm's with VHO actinics instead of NO Actinics?
I would like to run 13-14k bulbs this time with Actinic supplementation. Any suggestions or experience would be great.

If you know of any other links that help answer these questions please let me know.

Thanks for the help folks

Cheers,

Al

[dirtyreefer]

I have heard almost nothing but good things about XM 10K SE bulbs. They are a very crisp white, and make ushios look like iwasakis.

Although I'm not sure on coloration, I am pretty sure that a higher PAR will yield growth in your corals (especially SPS). I would choose that supplemented with actinics because a 20K bulb loses it's PAR alot more quickly than a 10K.

Anyone can correct me if I'm wrong, but this is my research.