10K vs 14K

hey guys
just wondering if anybody could tell me if there is a huge diffrence in blue tones between a 10kMH and a 14KMH. I sure this probably varies somewhat between brands. I'm also curious about how high MH's should be mounted in a well-ventilated canopy with the glass lids of the tank.

 

Yes there is a noticable difference in 10 k and 14k bulbs. The 14k will be more of a blue color.
I can't really tell you how high to mount the lights but I can tell you if you run MH bulbs over a tank with glass tops you're going to have serious heat issues unless you're running a chiller.

My MH bulbs are mounted about 14 inches above the water. Hope that helps.

 

Go with 14k's. 10k's will be more of a yellow look. I have mine adjustable but keep them 11" to 13" off the water surface.

 

You really can't go by K values at all I have a Aqualine Busk 14K that looks like a 10K its trash and a very expensive bulb about 129.00 retail , I like the 14 that are more blue or the 15 K X-M they are the same color at a 14 K SPS brand bulb.. as for height ? High enough so no water will ever touch them POP! Like Otty suggested at least 10 to 12 inches is rule of thumb

 

Ok I have mixed emotions about this. I like the looks of 14 k but I love the growth I get from my 10 k hamiltons. Also IMO 10k is way more natural. I did my own little test where I looked a piece of rock over real well while it was in my tank under 10k's, I then took that same piece of rock out side and put it in a 10 gallon tank I had full of saltwater (prepped for water change) and could hardly tell any difference in color of the rock. it may have been just a little greener under the 10 k but not much. IMO 14 k does make the coral and tank look better by giving it the bluer spectrum.

 

I will tell you I like both. Ihave one 14 and one 10 over my tank. I think IMHO that it gives it more of an ocean look because the light isn't always the same there so why should it be in my tank. Then I also have some corals that like less light on one side and more light on the other side. However I am also following advise from a cat with a rubix cube....what more can be said?

 

It's not necessarily more light. You honestly can't judge it by what you see. i can tell you that those 14k's (blue) are more intense right now just because of the age of the bulbs. Now if you did a new 10 k on that end it would WOW your tank. Just because it's blue doesn't mean it's less light. BTW you are the one who said you like the look and I said it wouldn't hurt anything and it does look pretty cool. BTW I think it might be pretty cool to put another piece of that same monti under that 10 k at the same height and see if there's a growth difference over a couple of months.

 

Look at you, turning her tank into your own little science experiment!!!

 

I'm an opportunistic scientist=) My whole livingroom is an experiment. I need to expand

 

Well I did say I liked the lights that way the best....I also can't afford a new light at $100 a pop.....It would be cool to experiment like that! I never meant it to sound like there is less light just that is how the eye perseves it. I like the 14 but the 10 just seems to make things pop out a little more. It is a little more sun like bright!