70 watt HQI bulbs

[stewie24]

I've been using the jbj viper for about a week now, and i'm thinking perhaps the stock bulb is either junk or else the 70 watt fixtures aren't that bright. I have my light about 5 inches above the water line and the only bright part of the tank is what is directly below the light itself and the sandbed isn't even that bright. (10 gallon tank)

So, what i was wondering is this:
For any of you out there that are using any kind of 70 watt fixture - what bulb/temp color are you using and how bright is the bulb?

I don't really want to go w/ a 10k bulb because it would be too yellow. I like the color of the jbj bulb, but like i said, i don't think its that bright.
I was thinking either the sunpaq 14k bulb (the one that comes w/ the sunpod) or else the AB 13k bulb. (<---- Is anyone using that bulb?)
So what bulb is everyone using and how do you like it for color and brightness?

Thanks
Stewie

 

[kalare]

The bulb is probably fine, I've never seen a 70w reflector that was worth its weight in lead. Get a decent reflector and your problem will most likely be solved

 

[phenom5]

that's what i was going to say. reflector can make all the difference in the world.


FWIW, i switch between a ushio 10K & a aqualux 14K. the ushio has a pretty good color, definately more white then yellow. but the aqualux is just so much better in terms of color, the only problem is you loose PAR with the 14K bulb.

 

[stewie24]

Phenom5,
Where did you get the aqualux bulb at?
Also, what reflectors are you guys using?
I have the jbj viper fixture and the light just isn't cutting it. I mean my corals are out and opening up alot more, but the fixture just doens't seem that bright. I can't move it down any lower because i feel it will boil my water lol. Its about 4 inches off the surface right now.
I like the color temp of the jbj 14k bulb, but like I said, it just doesn't seem that bright. The sides of my tank are also dimly lit as well.
Also, was there a noticable difference between brightness in the ushio and the aqualux?

Thanks
Stewie

 

[phenom5]

hey stewie,
well, i was still getting my first cup of coffee down when i wrote that...it's acually astralux, not aqualux.

as far as where i got it, i got it from illuming.com, but they don't have them listed on their site right now. you could email him to see if he's got any, or is getting any soon. check out the selling forum on NR,com, there are some for sale over there sometimes. and last but not least, here is one place i found that has them, but i know nothing about this vendor, just a link that came up when i did a little searching...

marinethings