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View Full Version : What is the best 20K DE bulb for SPS reef tank


RuGlu6
05-24-2012, 08:29 AM
Just wondering what is the best 20K bulb out there for SPS corals?
I got 2x250W DE HQI and it looks like its too much light for 36"x18"x24" 65Gal tank, Decided to go higher K color, so what 20K bulbs do you guys think i should get?
Thx

whatcaneyedo
05-24-2012, 01:05 PM
Have you compared the values on Sanjay's site? http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting

Aquattro
05-24-2012, 01:39 PM
What issue are you having? I ran 2 x 400w 10k over a 75g for years, never an issue with too much light..

sphelps
05-24-2012, 02:40 PM
Have you tried phoenix 14Ks yet?

2bafish
05-24-2012, 04:40 PM
I have 14k Phoenix bulbs supplemented with t5 actinics and have great growth. 20k might be too blue.

Rogue951
05-24-2012, 05:19 PM
I have 2 x 250w 14k phoenix bulbs over a 40g breeder tank and get decent growth.
They sit low too. On the tank rim. New corals do need to be acclimated to that much direct light usually.

RuGlu6
05-24-2012, 08:40 PM
Sorry forgot to mention that i am using 2x250W 14K Phoenix atm.
2x250W +4 actinics T5. On a 36" 65 Gal tank.
and the issue is that not too many corals can adjust to the mid upper range of the tank, and looks like a lot of them do better at lower altitudes. Or i find myself looking for a shady spots in my tank for some corals.
So my plan was to try 20K bulbs and because they are bluer get one white (14k)T5 out of 4 T5's in the fixture to compensate for the blueness of the 20K.

Thx for all the replies.

Just wanted to know if there are anyone who runs 250W 20k bulbs on SPS tank and if yes what brand?
.

tang daddy
05-24-2012, 08:42 PM
20k radium or Helios!

RuGlu6
05-24-2012, 08:48 PM
Have you compared the values on Sanjay's site? http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting
Thx for that, i did go there however it does not give me exactly what i need in terms of coral reaction/growth as well as visual appearance/color only plots. Also he doesn't have my ballasts.

sphelps
05-24-2012, 08:52 PM
Might be best to change the ballasts for 150W versions instead, might even be able to find someone that will trade you straight up. Might be a better alternative since you may not find a huge difference from switching 14K to 20K on the halides and vise-versa on the T5s.

RuGlu6
08-19-2012, 01:43 AM
20k radium or Helios!

Sorry late reply,
Do they come in DE?

Proteus
08-19-2012, 03:12 AM
I used geissmenn and aquamedic. Both were great. But prefered the geissmenn

tang daddy
08-20-2012, 06:01 PM
Xm 20k are blue aswell for the single ended, I am not sure if they come in double ended.... It's been so long since using mh I forgot... You may wanna call OA because they have a sale on bulbs ATM and I know they have some nice bluer double ended bulbs....

Good luck!

dreef
08-21-2012, 02:15 AM
Yes xm 20k's do come in DE, that's what i run.

RuGlu6
08-22-2012, 04:18 AM
Thx guys.