Best bulb for a 175 MH??

[Txcowboy22]

I am wondering what bulb is the best for a dual 175 Hamilton ballast? I am not that worried about color because they will be going on a frag tank. So what is the best par growth bulb for sps? I here a lot about the iwasaki..... That was what I was thinking of going with....

 

[DOTZ]

Iwasaki 15K Very crisp white. Looks great and great par.

This site will help you. You can look up each bulb on each ballast to see the par.
http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/selectperformancedata.php

 

[Txcowboy22]

How can you tell what the par is on that page?

 

[mylittlejade]

Plus 2 on the Iwasaki. I run them on my tank and they have good color and very bright.

 

[Txcowboy22]

anyone else? I am going to be using a hamilton ballast and I want something that will burn a blueish color

 

[Txcowboy22]

what about ushio or xm bulbs?

 

[chicken]

There are other bulbs that burn more blue than the Iwasaki's but you are not going to get anywhere near the PAR out of them. So depending on your tank size and type of corals you want to keep that will make your decision.

 

[Txcowboy22]

I hear the iwasaki can burn corals. I am going to be using these on a 12'' frag tank

 

[chicken]

the 175w 15k iwasaki runs about the same PAR as a 14k 250w bulb, just not as blue. As others said its a very crisp white with a tint of blue.

 

[Txcowboy22]

Is there anyone who has used the iwasaki, reeflux, ushio and XM? Could you tell me what you like the best for growth, I will use supplements for color.

 

[Toadally]

I use the 175w 15k Iwasaki and can tell you that it is very bright white with a hint of blue. I did burn some corals because I didn't acclimate as I should have. I didn't realize how much par this bulb has. Growth has been pretty good so far, but I've only had it a couple months. I would like to have a little more blue, but can't supplement because I'm using an SLS LumenMax 2 pendant. HTH

 

[Ebisan]

I have used XMs, Hamiltons, Ushio and now the Iwasakis. Love the crispness of the Iwasakis. I do supplement with VHOs actinics. For more blue you can go with the XMz or Ushio. Though I prefer the Iwasakis for the color and par.

 

[RichK]

IMO, it is going to be hard to beat the Iwasakis. I have been using them on my 75G softie/LPS tank and it looks great. I would describe the color as white, with a SLIGHT hint of blue. I am running them on standard M57 ballasts.

 

[Txcowboy22]

I guess I am going with the Iwasakis. Thx guys