12k Reeflux 400w On Hqi ?

[DL]

Does anyone have experience with the Reeflux 12k 400w on HQI?

I currently run Radiums, but it is time to replace with more Radiums or something different.

From the few comments I've gathered, someone said the 12k is very blue and "weak" and another said it was so powerful they needed to move a few corals.

Any comparison to Radiums?

 

[phishlet]

I can't help you with a comparison to Radiums but I did run my 250 watt 12ks on PFO HQI ballasts for a while. The burn more white than they do on eballasts but are still obviously blue. From tanks I've seen with Radiums I'd say the Reeflux lamps will not be as blue. I don't know how long they'll last on HQI ballasts. I prefer more of the 10k spectrum which is why I'm not running them now. They just don't appear as bright to me as I'd like them to either.

That all being said, they are a very nice looking lamp if you're wanting something more blue than the 10K lamp range but less blue/gray than the 20k range lamps.

 

[CAreefer]

I just replaced one of my Radiums with the 12k Reeflux. Not as bright, but much better coral coloration under the CV bulb. I also run the PFO HQI's.

HTH
CAReefer

 

[tstone]

I have a M58 ballast and ran 20K XM and then 20K radium.

Switched to the 10K Reeflux W/actinic and really like it. Tank hasn't looked better.

Not sure if that helps you but that's my experience.

 

[TBR701]

I have been running three 12K 400W Reeflux bulbs on a PFO HQI ballast. I had switched over from 14K Hamiltons. They ended up looking about the same as the Hamiltons. Probably not as blue as the radiums.

Recently the bulbs stopped firing up. It takes them several hours before they come on completely. I checked with the dealer who had me check with the manufacturer. They advised the bulbs should not be run on HQI ballast. Only got about two months use out of them. They did request that I send them back and they will check them out.

Not sure if it was just the bulbs I had or if this will happen to all. Never had this problem with the Hamiltons which I used for over 9 months.

 

[phishlet]

Coralvue does say that their lamps are not intended to be used on HQI ballasts. But I've never had a problem to date. I only ran my 12ks for a little over 2 months but never had a problem with them. I also have burned the Reeflux 10 lamps for more than 2 months with no problems.