250 watt 20K bulbs?

[jjjimmy]

First of all, Mods, I have this in the SPS forum because I want their experience with different 20K bulbs.

This will be my first time using 20K bulbs. I am looking for DE bulbs.

XM's are out of the question because I prefer Icecap ballasts that will not consistently fire the XM bulbs.

The AB's seem a bit on the expensive side. Are they worth it?

I really wanted to try the Helios but I might find the proverbial needle in the haystack first.

Any other bulbs? Opinions and experiences please.

My tank is a standard AGA 180 RR. 90% SPS with some scattered LPS on the sand bed.

TIA

Jimmy

 

[jackson6745]

250w DE 20k's are really dim for a 180G. I ran the 20k AB's on a 65gal (PFO HQI ballast) and I loved the color I got with them, on my 120gal it looks like actinics only

 

[jjjimmy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7102521#post7102521 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jackson6745
250w DE 20k's are really dim for a 180G. I ran the 20k AB's on a 65gal (PFO HQI ballast) and I loved the color I got with them, on my 120gal it looks like actinics only

That is not a problem as I am going to be running (6) 250's on my 180. 3 10K and 3 20K alternating.

I am just not sure about which 20K to use.

 

[Ewan]

The AB's have an excellent rep for a reason. They produce a very consistant product (or place their label on a very consistant product )

I have had some bad experiences trying "new" bulbs in the last couple of years, so now I stick with BLV, AB and hamilton bulbs only. The hamiltons are not my favorite, but the 14K is a nice balance.

I've used both 20k BLVs and 20K AB bulbs. The AB is a deeper blue. As Jackson mentions, it looks like actinics.

jm$.02

-E.

 

[Ti]

I like XM 20K.
Fine for my SPS

 

[murphreef]

i run the Helios 20K's on my 180 they work great for me so far love the color they put out as well

i use PFO HQI ballast though

 

[jjjimmy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7105145#post7105145 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by murphreef
i run the Helios 20K's on my 180 they work great for me so far love the color they put out as well

i use PFO HQI ballast though

Where did you get them?

 

[murphreef]

its all my LFS carries out here

they run about $80 a bulb but i really like the color they produce

 

[jjjimmy]

Any one else?

 

[Mogrash]

Like the look of 20k 250W DE, hate the growth on my corals. Very slow. I ran all 20k but replaced the center one with a 10k. Much better growth under the 10k then the 20k XM. I attribute this to the better PAR output from 10k bulbs.

If you are using 400 Watt SE 20k then you should be fine.

Course I do have a 210 that is 29" tall. You may get away with using 20k by having a shallower tank with corals placed high...but I don't like that. I want my corals to grow into the water collumn rather than grow 3inches then break the surface of the water....