Metal Halide Question

Right now I have a 160 watt powercompact with two actinics. I'm wondering if a 6500K 250W would be better? I would still need actinics right? I'm asking if it's better because I'm not sure about the whole 6,500K thing. The bulbs i have in my powercompact are 10,000k

 

hmmmm, i'm prettty new at the whole lighting thing, but I think i remember hearing to always get 10000k or better for a reef tank,,, and i just ordered a 250 halide,, my friend said to keep the blue actinics (2 of them) on the tank... so there's 2 cents for thought,, just what i was told

 

Well, if you had a ballast that could support a 400 watt output, are the 6,500K and 10,000K bulbs interchangable as long as their both 400 watts

 

6500k is close to noon time at the equator. Just fine for reefs. All my PC's used to be 6500k until CSL did away with the 6500 for a 10,000K. As far as the 6500K and 10,000K MH bulbs being interchangeable, depends on the mogul (base) and type (HQI, Pulse start, etc.).

 

So are the advantages of having 10,000 worth the extra bling bling$$

 

the price at www.hellolights.com is nice.
the XM 10,000 is rated very good. $65

http://www.hellolights.com/250watt.html

 

Heyya Nautilus..

Even cheaper here:

Inreef.com - Innotative Reef Solutions


XM 250 watt 10000k bulb #16145

http://www.inreef.com/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=16145&cat=0

XM 250 watt 10000k bulb #16145
XM 250 watt 10000k Metal Halide bulb.

Quantity 4 item(s) available
Weight 1.00 lbs
Price: $ 57.99

"Joe" took great care of me on a mistaken shipping order (made on my part) and even "ate" the "shipping costs" on resending!

Look at his "SCWD" price! - have never seen anywhere else this low -

Don't know about other stock - but his "lighting" prices are great! 8)

FWIW

OmarD

 

So would 6,500K support giant clams?

One more question is this everything I need (besides canopy) for a MH set up: 400 Watt MH DIY Kit - includes 400W MH unassembled magnetic ballast, MH 400W 6500K bulb, mogul socket, and mounting bracket

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=MH400DIY

Just how "unassembled" is it? i.e. power cord, on/off switch

 

Blue penetrates deeper down, 10,000K is bluer then 6500 but not as blue as a 20,000k. So, if you have a deeper tank, yah its worth it. It's mainly a personal preference though, what do you want your tank to look like? Are you trying th achieve a shallow water environment or deeper water? The deeper you want it to look, the bluer the bulb you want.

Yes and no. Yes, if you supply the clam with the proper amount of light (kelvin is only a color rating) and no if you don't supply it with enough light.

looks like you have to provide the wire, switch and plug. Orchards or home depot can supply you with a pigtail for it, some wire nuts, wire and a switch. Putting all that together is really easy, don't worry.

 

Oh, and yes, IMO you still need actinics.