Best 250w MH for coral growth

[count2k3]

I would like some feedback on what metal halide hqi bulbs work best for sps coral growth. I have a good amount of ora acro frags and would like to see considerable growth. I have the current usa twin 250w MH and 4 54w T5. Im also using a galaxy ballast that i hard wired to the current fixture. I switched from the stock 10k's to phoenix blue 14k the color looks great but coral growth is reduced. Any feedback would really help

 

[Nerdy Nudi]

according to the most recent articles I have read, if you want growth, just look for intensity. ie PAR.

 

[Uncle Luke]

AB 10K

 

[moo0o]

I'm getting pretty good results with the elos spectra 10k

 

[burton14e7]

i kind of feel like color or visual appearance should take prevalence over growth. Unless you're planing on selling frags whats the point? Just over grow your tank faster so you have to trim more often. I guess if you want to grow it to fill up your tank faster but I prefer it to look better. JMO.

 

[reefrf]

I also have 4x54w T5's but with 2x 150 hqi phoenix 14k and have great growth.

 

[moo0o]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15376891#post15376891 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by burton14e7
i kind of feel like color or visual appearance should take prevalence over growth. Unless you're planing on selling frags whats the point? Just over grow your tank faster so you have to trim more often. I guess if you want to grow it to fill up your tank faster but I prefer it to look better. JMO.

Didn't want my frags to stay frags forever

Also, i really like the 10k look, im running 2x super actinic + 2x blue plus + elos spectra 10k. No real yellow at all, and my colors aren't that bad. Looks like a cool white light with that combination. My frags are starting to color back up from brown so maybe ill post pics in a month or two when everything colors up

I wanna try 4x blue plus bulbs but am waiting for my LFS to get them in.

 

[count2k3]

I would like to thank all you guys for the input. I just got a great deal on phoenix 10k's brand new for $50. I will try the elos 10k's next.

 

[Reeferon]

the xm10K has the highest par in its class.
its a little too yellow for most people though.

 

[jthomps123]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15376891#post15376891 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by burton14e7
i kind of feel like color or visual appearance should take prevalence over growth. Unless you're planing on selling frags whats the point? Just over grow your tank faster so you have to trim more often. I guess if you want to grow it to fill up your tank faster but I prefer it to look better. JMO.

He didnt as what looks better ...because hes growing from frags... nice size colonies of average color look much better than tiny frags with great color imo. When this frags have turned into colonies then slower growth with great color would be a good transition.