Metal Halide Spectrum.

[icedgxe]

So I have been inspired by seeing some natural lit reefs and would lvoe to do it but that is not in the books right now. Currently I am running 250w radiums on galaxy ballast's. My question is what bulb will give me a more natural look. I don't want anything too yellow but thought about trying something diff. What bulb does everyone suggest? xm 10k? Right now I don't run any supplements. I have 18 royal blue cree's and 9 cool white that I use for dusk and dawn effects. Thanks and any pics as well will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

You will get better looks with 14k or 20k, under water, the light is a lot bluer than 10k. Most people with natural lights use a filter to do so.

 

[icedgxe]

I realize the color will look better. I ran phoenix before and have run radiums for the past 2 years. When looking at shallow reefs in nature and several tanks with natural sunlight there is a certain look that just draws me in. Examples of natural reefs and tanks with the color I am looking for...

 

[mcarroll]

Browns and yellows will (likely) become a lot more dominant colors in your reef, but you're OK with that any daylight-ish bulb should get you there.

The Iwasaki 6500K's are still the "gold standard" of daylight halide bulbs (may require a new ballast...do some checking), but even a garden-variety 10000K bulb would probably do what you're looking for.

-Matt