Bulb Change Question

[Mdwannabe]

Well, most of you saw the tank under (almost) 1 year old 400W, 20K, XM bulbs.
What is your opinion of going to 400W, 14K, EVC Tech Bulbs?
As you know the tank has no VHO supplement, do you think I should stay the way I am or change? I'm looking to raise the par (to increase growth rate), but keep the color seen by my color blind eyes.
Just let me know what you think as bulb replacement has to happen soon.

Thanks:
Rick

 

[fishdoc11]

I thought the tank looked nice
What type of ballasts do you have?

 

[Mdwannabe]

old style, not electronic.

 

[fishdoc11]

Then XM's if you want to stay with 20K's(they are meant to run on Magnetic ballasts as I'm sure you know). You might check how the different 14K's run on standard ballast's in Sanjays articles. If I'm not mistaken most run substantially better on electronics.
Chris

 

[boofer]

FWIW, The 20k XM has better par than all the 14k's in the 400's that Ive seen.

 

[Mdwannabe]

Good enough, new XM's it is.

Thanks:
Rick

 

[Mikeyjer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7054644#post7054644 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishdoc11
Then XM's if you want to stay with 20K's(they are meant to run on Magnetic ballasts as I'm sure you know). You might check how the different 14K's run on standard ballast's in Sanjays articles. If I'm not mistaken most run substantially better on electronics.
Chris

How about the ARO Electronic Ballast?? Is that not good to run with XM 20k's??? I just bought one....I've read a couple different sites suggesting this ballast, Hellolights being one of'em. They did say not to run it with Icecap though!!!

 

[fishdoc11]

Not sure but since XM is made by hellolights I would say that is right and they know. I remember when XM's came out it was stated that they were meant to run on Magnetic ballasts which is unusual for 20K bulbs. You might also want to compare PAR results on the two ballasts with Sanjay and JBNY's data
http://www.cnidarianreef.com
http://www.advancedaquarist.com
Chris

 

[Mikeyjer]

The par results were the same with Icecap and ARO ballast! Thanks for that information!!!