175w 14000K MH too blue

[argileh]

I got a new 175w 14000k metal halide bulbs from ebay. I installed it yesterday but I think its color its too blue, more like a 20000k. I had a 10000k before that and the diffence in blue color is major. Will the color change to less blue after the break-in period (100 hours or so).

Thanks

[Scavenger]

I had the hamilton 175w 14,000k's and found they were very blue but they lost a lot of that blue after burn in. I don't remember excatly how long it was though.

[argileh]

that's a bit comforting

[digital-audiophile]

What brand of bulbs? I really like the blue :p

[argileh]

really cheap US$15 + US$10 shipping. Got it in 5 days

http://cgi.ebay.ca/2-x-175w-Metal-Halide-E39-aquarium-bulbs-14000-Kelvin_W0QQitemZ290120534883QQihZ019QQcategoryZ207 06QQcmdZViewItem

[andsoitgoes]

at that price and model - I'd be worried about the PAR. They'll likely burn in and turn less blue, but honestly with bulbs you get what you pay for :(

[argileh]

Nick,

What's the effect of PAR on corals

[ron101]

PAR = photosynthetically available radiation

PAR is basically how much energy the bulb provides for photosynthesis. Typically the bluer the bulb (ie higher kelvin) the less PAR that is available and can lead to less coral growth and different coloration. For example, PAR-wise, a 175W 10000k, a 250W 14000k, and a 400W 20000k could all have the same PAR values.

[argileh]

ron, thanks for the clarification. I guess the main risk with such a cheap bulb is slow growth

[kwirky]

ron, thanks for the clarification. I guess the main risk with such a cheap bulb is slow growth

or nasty types of algae