Anyone still rocking 6500k Iwasakis?

Skibum · Jul 23, 2018

I'm reaching back to my old school roots with a new hybrid LED/MH lighting scheme for a new build I'm planning. I always loved the look of 6500k with VHO, and find it hard to replicate with LEDs (G4). This is not a troll MH vs. LED thread, so please don't start with which is superior or better. With that said, I'm sure it will happen anyway ;-).

Crabs McJones · Jul 23, 2018

Just recently made the switch from led t5 to metal halide 20k bulb with t5s. Loving it so far

ikolbaba06 · Jul 23, 2018

Crabs Mcjones said:
Just recently made the switch from led t5 to metal halide 20k bulb with t5s. Loving it so far

Got rid of the kessils?

ikolbaba06 · Jul 23, 2018

Never mind. Just read about it. Continue!

jda · Jul 23, 2018

I use 6500k in my frag tank. Awesome color and growth and I do not care about illumination. If you take one of those corals and drop it under 14k Phoenix or 20k Radium, they look amazing.

I do not run them anymore in the display since 14k Phoenix and 20k Radium have allowed me to not use any VHO or T5s to supplement and I save the money on bulbs, fixtures and electricity. However, I would run them if I had a situation where I needed a ton of PAR and had the ability to supplement with fluorescents.

jda · Jul 23, 2018

Oh, you can still get VHOs. Coralife makes the IceCap ballast now and UVL Still makes the Super Actinic. Their demise has been promised for a long time, but they are still alive and kicking.

Skibum · Jul 23, 2018

jda said:
Oh, you can still get VHOs. Coralife makes the IceCap ballast now and UVL Still makes the Super Actinic. Their demise has been promised for a long time, but they are still alive and kicking.

Interesting, do you get better growth with the 6500k than 14k or 20k? And with t5/led is is possible to use them and get a color blend on your tank that's pleasing?

jda · Jul 23, 2018

65ook does give the best growth and usually color, but it is terrible for showing off the color (illumination). Color blend is totally up to the individual. I would guess that a 6500k Iwasaki with a pair of VHO Super Actinics (or 4x Actinic T5s) would yield about a 10-12k color. It takes a lot to overpower a halide.

Skibum · Jul 23, 2018

jda said:
65ook does give the best growth and usually color, but it is terrible for showing off the color (illumination). Color blend is totally up to the individual. I would guess that a 6500k Iwasaki with a pair of VHO Super Actinics (or 4x Actinic T5s) would yield about a 10-12k color. It takes a lot to overpower a halide.

I was thinking 2x400 Watt Iwasakis with 4 G4 Radions on a 160 6x2x2

Skibum · Jul 23, 2018

Skibum said:
I was thinking 2x400 Watt Iwasakis with 4 G4 Radions on a 160 6x2x2

Edit: I would limit the 6500k Burn to about 6 hours a day, then illuminate in the morning and evening with the G4's

Acroporaaddict · Jul 23, 2018

I'm considering running a 6500 iwasaki on my Display for about 6 hours during the day when I'm not home and t5s and a Reefbrite for viewing when I'm at home

tiggs · Jul 23, 2018

Man, I remember when the 6500k/VHO combo was the latest rage. I haven't run that combo in many years, but always got amazing growth.

klesel · Jul 23, 2018

Hell I even remember 5500 was all the rage lol but got say iv used leds t5 still loving my mh but doing 20ks on my new build .

Skibum · Jul 23, 2018

6500k equals good growth. However, when I'm working I rarely look at my aquarium. Primetime viewing hours are from 5-9 p.m. I think the Radions can take care of that bit. At least that's my theory, it's still a super expensive setup.

ikolbaba06 · Jul 23, 2018

Yea no kidding haha. Some serious lighting. I remember my 29 gallon with a 250w de mh orbit fixture that was I think like 5-6 inch off the water. I never had as good color as I did with that tank. I didn’t have a meter at that time but I’m sure I was pushing the par pretty high.

mandarin417 · Jul 25, 2018

20+ years ago I ran a 6500K in right next to a 20K over an Oceanic 55 and no other lighting. The combined lamps showed off colors in the tank nicely. For some reason my 20K then seemed alot bluer than my 20K now. I had excellent growth on soft corals the few SPS available then.

Battlecorals · Jul 25, 2018

yes! I am running 3 250s over my main halide raceway right now!

Skibum · Jul 25, 2018

Battlecorals said:
yes! I am running 3 250s over my main halide raceway right now!

So, did you complete the poll? You would be the only one! Do you have enough data or anecdote to confirm whether or not growth is superior to LED or 20k MH?

Phelipe's Ocean · Aug 16, 2018

Found this thread trying to get some info on Halides, im going with 2 illuminarcs 250w on a frag tank 72”x36” i know its a stretch with just two but since the tank is only 12” tall I think I can get away with it. For those using 6500k you never experienced brownout? Im just worried of going with those and my frags turning completly brown, but I want the best growth.

Phelipe's Ocean · Aug 16, 2018

jda said:
65ook does give the best growth and usually color, but it is terrible for showing off the color (illumination). Color blend is totally up to the individual. I would guess that a 6500k Iwasaki with a pair of VHO Super Actinics (or 4x Actinic T5s) would yield about a 10-12k color. It takes a lot to overpower a halide.[/QUOTE
What do you mean when you say it gives off the best color but is bad at showing it off?