400 watt Aquaconnects in stock?

How do the aquaconnect bulbs compare to a Reeflux 12k?

I'm currently running the Reeflux on a coralvue dimmable ballast and wasn't sure how the Aquaconnects run on the coralvue ballast?
 
The Reeflux is pretty blue, more so than some 20k lamps out there. Having said that, we use them (Reeflux 12k), along with some 20k Radiums on a few of the holding tanks we have here, and they work well. The AC's fall off a lot when not being ran on an hqi ballast. They are spec'd to be ran on an hqi, just like the Radium, so if you're not able to do that then I would pass. However, with the Coralvue dimmable, you should have a "250 hqi" setting on it if I'm not mistaken?
 
THe coralvue ballast I have can overdrive by 10% according to the manufacuturer. Is overdriving the the bulb on my current ballast going to work or do you really need an HQI ballast for these bulbs.

What would the color of the bulb look like on my current ballast versus the HQI?

DO you see a difference in all the electronic ballasts out there now? Coralvue, Gallaxy, Lumatek, Vertex, Icecap and the list goes on.
 
Sorry Bill, I have the 250's on my mind, where you're looking at the 400's. The Coralvue on standard setting would run it similar to an Icecap, where the HQI runs it about 20% brighter. Having said that, the "Hqi" ballast tested on the 400's is not the same as a 250 "hqi", it's actually overdriving, but maximizing par at the same time.

I would think your 10% over setting on the Coralvue would be the best setting to run the 400w AC's.
 
So the overall appearance of the Aquaconnect will have less blue than the Reeflux 12K?

I'm running T5 Blue Plus bulbs, so do you think the tank will be too Blue?
 
Not at all, the AC's will be a big difference in coloration than what you're running now. Think of an overdriven 20k 400w Radium by itself. That is most likely what you'll see with the Aquaconnect supplemented with the Blue Plus lamps.
 
I have never ran or seen a Radium in person so that's why I ask. I thought most people say it's a blue bulb. I didn't know if having the blue plus bulbs would be making the tank too blue.
 
In my opinion, you need some supplemental actinic to go with the AC lamps. They would probably be slightly too white if you're used to the 12k Reeflux, running by themselves.
 
Jeremy

I placed the order for the Aquaconnect. Do think 4 blue plus bulbs is the way to go or do recommend another combo with the Aquaconnect
 
I think 4 x Blue Plus would look really nice with that setup. You could also try 2 x pure actinic and 2 x Blue Plus, but the pure actinic will get drowned out quite a bit by the halides.
 
Got the bulb on Friday and I like the color so far. Not overdriving the bulb as of now. Just letting in burn in and see what it looks like.
 
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