Bulb Suggestions

[Fishy1]

I currently have 2-250 watt XM 20K MH and 2-130 watt VHO over my 120 gallon reef. It will be time to change out the MH next month. I love the bluer look.....and I think the 20K XM were one of the better PAR choices at the time I set the tank up. I have magnetic ballasts from Champion Lighting and was wondering if there was anything as good in the 14K range available for the type of ballasts I have. I tried the 10KXM orginally and they weren't blue enough......I read that the 15K XM's had poor PAR value.......should I just reorder the 20K XM's? What are you guys using?

Thanks,
Janey

 

[jbrunken]

Do you need SE bulbs or DE bulbs?

If you are using DE, check out the Phoenix 14K's... IMHO they have great color.

-JB

 

[Fishy1]

I've heard the same, JB.......thanks for trying to help but I need single ended bulb........wish Phoenix made one

 

[brtfreud]

I love my aquaconnect (AC) bulbs. 14K and 250W.

They are worth the extra money

 

[DSMpunk]

I have heard a lot of good things about the reeflux 12k bulbs. They are supposed to be closer to the 20k end of the spectrum vs the 10k in appearance. But Im not sure how well they burn with the magnetic ballasts.

 

[Fishy1]

Thanks, Sean......I'll have to check it out

~J~

 

[leeweber85]

What type of ballast do you have Janey? Based on Sanjay's tests, the aquaconnect probably has the most par for any 250w 14-20k bulb.

 

[Fishy1]

They are not electronic......they were purchased at Champion lighting........magnetic as far as I know. Are aquaconnect bulbs even available anymore?

 

[Fishy1]

Didn't see your post brtfreud......where did you get yours?

 

[brtfreud]

I picked up the DE bulbs from www.fragfarmer.com

 

[Fishy1]

I need mogul base......do they make them?

I just checked, and they do Thanks for the suggestion....says they have the color of 20K and the growth of 10K.......a little pricey but may be worth it.........

~J~

 

[brtfreud]

Considering you only replace bulbs once a year, I think it is worth the extra money. This is one thing I wouldn't skimp on.

They are hard to find so I would pick them up ASAP.

I was running 10K and I haven't seen any difference in SPS growth with the AC 14K replacements.

By the way, I am running 2x250W over a 75 with supplements to give the colors that pop. Wish I had a better camera I would post pics.

 

[Atticus]

I like my coral view 14K 250's I have them complimented with 3 o3 actinic and 1 white actinic 110 VHO.

 

[Fishy1]

I checked the Aquaconnect vs. the 20K XM's on Sanjay's site and with the magnetic ballast I have the XM's have a higher PPFD. Does this mean a higher PAR value?

Will check out the 14K Aticus and see if they are listed on Sanjay's site.................

appreciate the suggestions.......

~J~

 

[eckrynock]

Reeflux 12ks on 250w mags. have very nice blue color but poor PAR. I've never had 20k XMs. I run 400w Reeflux 12ks on EVC ballasts, love the color.

 

[Fishy1]

I just checked all the bluer bulbs 12K to 20K on Sanjays and with the magnetic ballasts I have 20K XM's have the highest PPFD. I guess until I change ballasts (not in the near future) I better stick with the 20K XM's....................

~J~