Best 175w Bulb?

[ct_vol]

Hey guys..... Just looking for some opinions... Which 175w SE bulb do you think is the best??? I appreciate your feedback...

Thanks,
Randy

 

[Toadally]

Hi Randy, I think the Iwasaki 15k is a great lamp. I ran it over my tank and it provided great growth and color. The color is a bright white with a hint of blue. If you're looking for a blue bulb this is not the bulb for you. hth's.

 

[oldreefer76]

Hi Randy, I think the Iwasaki 15k is a great lamp. I ran it over my tank and it provided great growth and color. The color is a bright white with a hint of blue. If you're looking for a blue bulb this is not the bulb for you. hth's.

Best 175w MH SE for sure

 

[ct_vol]

The Iwasaki was definitely one I was considering... Along with the Reeflux 12k, Phoenix 14k, XM 15K, and Ushio 20k...

I appreciate your help...

Any other opinions before I place my order this evening??? Looking to take advantage of the Memorial Day sales...

 

[Gold Stripe]

Iwasaki. I have tried a ton of them and narrowed it down to Iwasaki 15k or XM 20k but glad I went with the Iwasaki. Its an awsome bulb. Outstanding growth and good color with VHO actinic support.

 

[makoslo]

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm using five 175watt Icecap electronic ballasts over a 80x36x24in tank along with 6 39watt T-5s. I've been running Hamilton 175watt 14ks for the past year after switching from 10ks. Looking for a new bulb I picked a Iwaski 15k and have been running it for the last 2 weeks. It is a very good bulb with a crisp white color, but very little blue. Even with all six of my T-5s running Ati Blue plus, the Iwaski was too white for me. Seemed like a really nice 10k vs 14-15k.

So it really boils down to what you are looking for. I ran 10ks for a decade before switching to 14ks. With the 10ks I could get great growth and decent color. With the 14ks I may have gotten slower growth but I got much better overall color and better fluorescence out of my corals.

So I give the 175watt Iwaski a thumbs up if you want to run VHO supplementation or a whole lot more T-5 than I'm running. Or if you prefer a more white look to your tank. I prefer a bit more blue to my lighting, although I admit the Hamilton 175 watt 14ks are almost too blue for my taste. But I get good colors and decent growth.

 

[jubjub]

i love the single end phoenix 14k.....anyone tried the 175w single end phoenix?

 

[redfishsc]

The Iwasaki 15K is the ONLY 175w bulb I'd buy, until I saw some PAR numbers on other bulbs. This bulb flat whips pretty much everything, including some 250w bulbs.

 

[Toadally]

I'm in search of some 150 watters for my setup. I'm wondering how the Iwasaki 150 DE Aqua2 20k fairs in looks and par.

 

[MD]

Another vote for the Iwasaki, nice bulb. I switched to a 250 from it and felt it was just as good for growth. I also happened to like the color but that's personal preference.

 

[henrystyle]

Any updates on these 175w bulbs?

 

[grigsy]

They are good bulbs but I dont agree with the "great color". They are white. Very white with a slight touch of blue.

They are great for growth but if you use them I would suggest supplimenting them with two super actinc T12 VHOs.

MH + VHOs = Great growth and great color

 

[henrystyle]

Anyone know of a good 175w 20k se bulb?

 

[Toadally]

Anyone know of a good 175w 20k se bulb?

I've been using the XM 20k over my softie tank. It's a pretty decent bulb, but the color shifts at about six months. If you don't mind changing the bulb at six months I would recommend it.

 

[moondoggy4]

Which

Which

Best 175w MH SE for sure

What type of ballast runs these bulbs?

 

[henrystyle]

What type of ballast runs these bulbs?

I would say an electronic ballast..