What Kelvin value is best?

geologeek · 12-20-2004, 07:49 AM

what bulb do i get? i can have a 250 watt 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 kelvin bulb but dont know what to use1 obviously the latter will be more blue but wouldnt this be better for inhabitants? (will be using triton tubes as well to supply white light)

any suggestions?

Malachi · 12-20-2004, 08:10 AM

what are Triton Tubes?

I use 10,000K but have VHO in Blue.

geologeek · 12-20-2004, 08:21 AM

Sorry i thought you might get them over there! they are best standard marine tubes we can get before going for VHO's, manufacturers state that they optimise coral growth, but they all say that over here! they are just a good broad range tri phosphor lamp that completely fail when the light output becomes useless.

Birdlady · 01-01-2005, 05:18 AM

I also have 10,000 K MH with 2 VHO actinic blues. I leave the blues on first and go off last so they get more blue light during the day.

Some use the 20,000 K with no actinics...they are blue enough in color.

I think 50,000 would be too blue....IMO

OoNickoC · 01-01-2005, 08:05 PM

I like 10 k's.... with good actinics.

shawnz28 · 01-09-2005, 05:51 PM

The 50K he is referring to is probably an Iwasaki which if memory serves from that I have read burns similar to a 20K. I personally run 14K hamilton double ended's over my tank with URI VHO actinic-white and actinic supplements and like it alot.