400 Watt bulb reccomendations

[shag26272]

I have a 20k Ebay bulb and I was thinking of trying a 14k , anyone have any suggestions, I was considering the 14k Hamilton please post pics if you have any, I have an M59 ballast, heres some pics of the 20k

 

[shag26272]

anyone use 400 watt lights anymore? this is the 3rd time ive posted this I guess I will just try out the hamiltons

 

[vijaym85]

I have a 14k Hamilton
It is a white color, no yellow, but not even close to the blue color you have now
here

 

[shag26272]

yeah it does look kinda white thanks

 

[Goodwood]

14k Hamiltons are white on an M59, I like XM20K on this ballast. Not to blue but not white

 

[shag26272]

so do you think the XM will be less blue then the bulb I have now? how about growth ? is it decent at least?

 

[wife no likey]

once the xm burns in, it isn't excessively blue by any means.

Although (according to sanjay's data) it does have a ppfd of 128, I just migrated to xm 10k's on HQI, and the growth improvement has been noticeable.

I found the color very good, but wouldn't run them again.

 

[shag26272]

what do you think about the 15k?

 

[anthony34]

I use Radiums 400MH very nice balance of white and blue no other light needed.

 

[wife no likey]

I think that the 15k's output is horrendous (according to the numbers)


what ballast do you have?

that is a major determining factor

 

[shag26272]

its an M59 magnetek, any pics of the Radium? its a 20k?

 

[shag26272]

also marine depot says you need an HQI or electronic ballast for the radiums is that right?

 

[wife no likey]

yes, the radium needs a hqi ballast, on anything else it performs very poorly. It is very short lived though, as you majorly overdrive it to get that color/output.

If you're going to stick w/ the m59, I think that the XM is your best choice.

 

[shag26272]

thanks Ill give it a try

 

[anthony34]

Radium 20k Pics

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1075905

 

[shag26272]

that does look nice but I hate to buy a new ballast