[George]

hehehe, I used to run a dual 175W. Now I am running a dual 250W on my 60g.
Color? Since the 175W drove german made 10kk bulbs, they were nice white color, which is pretty much what you expect from a german 175W 10KK. I also supplemented the bubs with two VHO, 110W actinic. Nice combination.

Now I am running dual 250W PFO MH ballast(not eye ballast) driving 2 iwasaki. I don't have a light meter to test how much of improvement over 175W in term of intensitive. But I can tell you that, I was able to look directly into 175W bulb before, now I am very careful not to look at the 250W directly. It hurt. Mind you, I am wearing glasses. Color? A tint of yellow after break-in. I don't have actinic any more 'cause my ice-cap was fried. As soon as I get my ice-cap fixed, I will let you know how it looks with actinic supplement. But I can live without actinic for now.

Coral growth? Let me just say that corals definitely LOVE Iwasaki. But my coralline algae turned into a lighter color, as before it was nice pink color.

I think a German 250w 10KK will be sweeeaat. But it also costs $$$$. That's the only thing that prevents me to try 250w 10kk.

One final note, if my tank is in basement, I would try dual 400W. But since it's on the first floor, well, too much heat.

HTH,

George