Ushio 14k vs 20k

[Syntax1235]

I'm looking at purchasing either 14k or 20k ushio mogul 250 watt bulb. I'll be running them on a standard reef brite electronic ballast, no HQI.

Anyone have pictures of these bulbs? I like blue but don't want an actinic look since my fixtures have reef brite xho blue strips on them.

 

[ndrwater]

If you have reefbrites as well, the 14k might be more what you are looking for. When I ran halides, my choice was the 20k. While blue, not excessively so. With the blue only reefbrites, it might be a bit more blue than you are looking for I you were to run the 20k bulbs

 

[Syntax1235]

If you have reefbrites as well, the 14k might be more what you are looking for. When I ran halides, my choice was the 20k. While blue, not excessively so. With the blue only reef brites, it might be a bit more blue than you are looking for I you were to run the 20k bulbs

Did you run them on an HQI setting? I wonder if the colors would be less blue on a regular electronic ballast?

 

[ndrwater]

I ran a regular electronic ballast.
It really all depends on what you like. I found to 20k to be blue ENOUGH but not excessively so. I think with Reefbrites, it might be a bit much. The Reefbrites are awesome at bringing out the pop, but for me I want somewhat natural colors.. a yellow tang should be yellow.. not gray.. why I said with Reefbrites, you may prefer the 14k.. maybe you can .get one of each and see what you like before dropping the whole nut on all new bulbs. Be a shame to spend all that $$ to find out you didn't like the look

 

[Syntax1235]

May be a moot point, I can't seem to find a 14k mogul 250 watt bulb.

 

[ndrwater]

My LFS who has been a proponent of Ushio bulbs forever just recently switched one of his tanks to which I believe is a 9600k bulb.. dramatically different at 1st, but actually very nice to look at.. plus the Reefbrites of course.. kinda what we did in the old days of MH.. Definitely not blue...

 

[jda]

Hamilton makes a nice 14k SE bulb made to be run on 250w non-HQI.

 

[jporter17]

jda is referencing the exact bulb I'm using on my RB hybrid. I tried Hamilton 20K Mogul and actually preferred it to the Radium. The Hamilton bulbs are designed to run on an electronic ballast. I was also pleased with the RB dual arc moguls as well. If you have the XHO's, the 14K might be a better blend if you don't want a really blue tank.I'm currently running the 14K with 2 T5's and 2 XHO strips that ramp up and down to simulate sunrise sunset.

 

[Captain Quint]

If you have reefbrites as well, the 14k might be more what you are looking for. When I ran halides, my choice was the 20k. While blue, not excessively so. With the blue only reefbrites, it might be a bit more blue than you are looking for I you were to run the 20k bulbs

One of my favorite bulbs for sure. I miss running halides often. I'll scout around my photo's to see if I can show you.

The 20,000 is dark blue though. The 14,000 was a beautiful crisp blue.

 

[Captain Quint]

Found a pic of a 29g BioCube with the Ushio 14,000k bulb.

 

[Captain Quint]

And my old 120g

AGA tank running Ushio 20,000k bulbs.

 

[naterealbig]

jda is referencing the exact bulb I'm using on my RB hybrid. I tried Hamilton 20K Mogul and actually preferred it to the Radium. The Hamilton bulbs are designed to run on an electronic ballast. I was also pleased with the RB dual arc moguls as well. If you have the XHO's, the 14K might be a better blend if you don't want a really blue tank.I'm currently running the 14K with 2 T5's and 2 XHO strips that ramp up and down to simulate sunrise sunset.

Hi @jporter17,

I'm just purchased a Giesemann Spectra, and am thinking about bulb options other than the Radiums it comes with... I love the look of your tank in the photo above.

For clarification, this is 2 x 250w 14,000k Hamilton bulbs, along with 2 x reefbrite XHO strips?

If I was going to add 4 x t5's to compliment this setup, which bulbs would they be?