14000k vs. 20000k

ashs_exotics

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Alright so I have a 250w metal halide ballast that accepts single ended bulbs. Currently I have like 5 250w 10000k bulbs that I got for free brand new, but I hate the way they make the tank look. I have some super cheap LED's that produce a more pleasing light to the eye, 10000k is just too yellow for me. I would like to see some pictures of 20000k setups and 14000k setups if you guys could, trying to decide between the two. I know that the bulbs I have now are really great with growth, and that the more blue lights dont grow most coral as fast. But honestly as long as they are still growing and they look awesome its all the same to me. Im just really stuck on what color temperature im looking for. Any pictures for comparison would be much appreciated!
 

KrisReef

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A long time ago I was told that Phoenix Hexarc Blue 14K 250 bulbs are the best reef bulb ever made. I still like them, but posting a picture on here isn't going to help you see what I see. I agree 10k's are too yellow, I've tried lots of "14K" bulbs and found that if I spend at least $60/bulb retail my wife likes how the tank looks :) and so do I.

Hamilton 20K's and some of the other "high end" (=$75.00 ea) 20k blubs also look nice but Phoenix imo have a better daylight look (white +blue) vs blue 20K bulbs. Some people really like the deeper blue and again any picture I take with my Iphone wont help you with a decision.

If you like more daylight, go 14K Phoenix, but for deeper blue go 20K, higher end.

HTH,
 

maroun.c

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I still run halides on my DT as main lights supplemented by less. Colors and growth I get is great. I use Phoenix 14 k or ushio 14 k which is a great balance between blue color and growth. These shots were taken at midday where LEDs are on white side. Might be a disgusting white to leds guys but I'm used to eh white light and love it. I run full led on more blue side on other 4 tanks I run but prefer this combination for my DT . I do have a full blue dawn and dusk period as well with LED only

20191013_194943.jpg 20191013_194543.jpg
 

A. grandis

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Different brand bulbs will have different colors.
If you want bluer light go with the Hamilton 20K. It will be a little bluer at the beginning and after couple weeks it will be whiter. Amazing bulb!
I took a picture with Hamilton 20K and Ushio 14K (below), both 250W on regular settings electronic ballasts, but the picture doesn't reproduce the real colors we see, as always...

I took many different pictures and this one is the closest to what it is.
20K on the left and 14K on the right.
The 20K isn't that purple as it shows here! It's bluer/whiter!
It shows purple because of the way the camera compensate for the colors.
IMG_5770.JPG

Here is the picture that comes closer to reality of the system with only 20Ks on.
IMG_5627.JPG

If you don't like yellowish get the 20Ks!!! Forget the 14Ks.
14Ks are great for growth and similar to the 10Ks.
By the way... unfortunately they don't make the 250W SE Ushio 14Ks anymore.

Edit: I also had 4 T5s on in both pictures.
2 X 10ks and 2 X Blue Plus bulbs.
 
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Minireef30

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Radium bulbs is what I use now. Compared to new LED setups nowhere near as blue and I like that.

IMG_20190804_191931.jpg
 

jda

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The 14k Phoenix will not work for you since they are double ended bulbs. 14k and 20k from Hamilton look mostly as advertised. 20k Radium is between the two and is not as blue most other 20k bulb - these require a special ballast to work (or an electronic ballast).
 

Bpb

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The Hamilton 14Ks don't look so yellow in that picture! Nice!
Thanks man. They’re pushing 11 months old now too. Edging pretty close to 10k to my eyes. Par is up about 20% over fresh bulbs since I’m on magnetic ballasts. I tend to think yellow is so subjective. I see people on here who have never used metal halides and only ever leds that want to try them out and complain that radiums on electronic ballasts are too “yellow”. Yet in the planted tank and horticultural world, 6500k is considered “blue”. Most horticultural sites I frequent actually label their 6500k halide bulbs as “blue”

another note....for those who have never used a true full spectrum lower kelvin daylight. You’ve never seen your fish colors glow from across the room quite like they do under true 10,000k lighting. 20000k+ and actinic lighting is very unflattering for fish. It makes their color so much more drab.
 

Reefcowboy

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As others have noted, being you have single ended the only option I would go for are radiums, which grow and color like no other and look great to the eye.

Going by your question, here is an old system of mine where I ran Hamilton 20k in the first picture and below Phoenix 14k.
I liked better the phoenix, but the Hamilton 20k is nothing like Radiums

886985C2-3EA6-45ED-BDE7-8A6B3BA21336.jpeg 4669241F-FD04-42F2-95BA-9205F759290D.jpeg
 

A. grandis

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Thanks man. They’re pushing 11 months old now too. Edging pretty close to 10k to my eyes. Par is up about 20% over fresh bulbs since I’m on magnetic ballasts. I tend to think yellow is so subjective. I see people on here who have never used metal halides and only ever leds that want to try them out and complain that radiums on electronic ballasts are too “yellow”. Yet in the planted tank and horticultural world, 6500k is considered “blue”. Most horticultural sites I frequent actually label their 6500k halide bulbs as “blue”

another note....for those who have never used a true full spectrum lower kelvin daylight. You’ve never seen your fish colors glow from across the room quite like they do under true 10,000k lighting. 20000k+ and actinic lighting is very unflattering for fish. It makes their color so much more drab.
What mag ballast are you using with them?
You are right!!!! I always said my best colors and growth ever were when I had my Iwasakis on back in the day!!! Yeah, it's so funny how they call them "blue". It is best for colors and growth and I'm thinking of getting some when I have to change my bulbs for next year ( the truth is that I think of all the bulbs, cause I love' em all! LOL!). My only problem is with the extra growth they will give. The polyps will probably have to fight with each other to crawl back in the tank. LOL! I've tried some 10Ks too and love the XMs.
Radiums on M80 is the only way to go, like jda always says! One of the very best "250W" bulbs for SPS with the wattage in between the 300 - 400W out of the wall with the mag ballast! I've had them on my dual Bluewave 7 for ~4 months in another system that I had to take down, and it was white!!! I love it so much!! Totally unnecessary for the polyps in my 75gal. though.
I don't have a PAR meter and every time I plan go get one, something comes up and I can't get it. To measure the bulbs' PAR in the beginning and after 10-12 months is what I wanted it for.
I think I have some Hamilton 14Ks around and might try them again... I wish I could keep lots of systems in the house, but no more room. Like my T5 combos, I like to see how the bulbs change through the year. My 20K Hamilton bulbs are brighter/ whiter now then when I first got them.
Your tank is doing great! Keep it simple as is and let' em grow happy!!!!! Love it.
Jda... bring some pics of you system too. Party time!
Peace.
 

A. grandis

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As others have noted, being you have single ended the only option I would go for are radiums, which grow and color like no other and look great to the eye.

Going by your question, here is an old system of mine where I ran Hamilton 20k in the first picture and below Phoenix 14k.
I liked better the phoenix, but the Hamilton 20k is nothing like Radiums

886985C2-3EA6-45ED-BDE7-8A6B3BA21336.jpeg 4669241F-FD04-42F2-95BA-9205F759290D.jpeg
Phoenix look great! DE bulbs...
 

DesertReefT4r

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I have ran both 14k and 20k bulbs. Each brand has their color and ballast type plays a role in the color as well. The bluest combo I found using DE bulbs is Coralife and XM 20K bulb, no longer made, on an Icecap ballast. The bluest 14k has been the Phoenix 14k which is a long proven performer.
FTS with 20k
20181228_174652_resized.jpg

FTS with Phoenix 14k
20181029_182230_resized.jpg
 

C. Eymann

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Radiums on E ballasts
Radiums on m80 HQIs
Pheonix 14k on clients tank being run on a M80 HQI Aquamedic ballast with 2x 450nm t5s

20191010_193955.jpg FB_IMG_1495110480375.jpg Screenshot_20191006-103825_Imgur.jpg
 
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