In your OPINION, which 250 se bulbs is best?

[HenryTran]

Hi,

I am setting up my tank for sps. I was wondering for those who used more than one type of bulb, which is best for growth and color. I have looked at the PAR chart and 14K and 20K are low in PAR reading. Will this inhibit alot of growth? I love their color though.

10K XM's seems to be great but is slightly yellow. I would like some growth and good color. Any suggestions based on your experience.

Please help, this decision is driving me crazy....:mad2:

Thanks

 

[Wiskey]

IMHO? I love the XM 10K with atinic suplemtation, but I am sure there are plenty of great bulbs in the color range you are looking at.

Whiskey

 

[jackson6745]

Overall AB10k (actually 13k)

 

[melev]

Hmm. I've used a number of bulbs. Ushio, Plus+, XM, AB, and now ReefLux.

I really like the ReefLux bulb, but I've only had it two weeks.

 

[david8956]

Best 250 watt SE bulb ? No doubt, Aquaconnect 14K.

Overall AB10k (actually 13k)

Sanjay's chart shows this bulb, on an IceCap ballast, is a little less than 8K, and still has less par than the Aquaconnect.

 

[eckrynock]

I love my XMs. 10ks are a nice crisp white with actinic supplementation. After reading these forums, I may try the Reeflux bulbs because I want a little more blue effect.

 

[TA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6647612#post6647612 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by eckrynock
I love my XMs. 10ks are a nice crisp white with actinic supplementation. After reading these forums, I may try the Reeflux bulbs because I want a little more blue effect.

I've run 250W XM10K along side reeflux 10K on IceCaps (don't forget to state what ballast you're using...makes a difference).

According to sanjay's site, reeflux is more blue on IceCaps than XM's...to my eye, it is as well, but not as blue as one might expect. If I ask my wife, she can't even see a difference!

I've compared +/- 195W VHO actinics...with actinics, its difficult to see any difference between the two bulbs at all. JMO FWIW.

But I agree with alot of others here, I'd like a little more blue than what I get with 500W XM10k/195W VHO actinic (crisp white with a hint of blue...but just a hint!)...mainly for coral color.

 

[jackson6745]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6647599#post6647599 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by david8956
Best 250 watt SE bulb ? No doubt, Aquaconnect 14K.



Sanjay's chart shows this bulb, on an IceCap ballast, is a little less than 8K, and still has less par than the Aquaconnect.

Really! I didn't know that. The SE AB 10k appears more blue/white than the XM, ushio, or reeflux (to the eye)

 

[david8956]

(Remember...these #'s are using an IceCap electronic ballast)

From Sanjay's chart:

Manuf. ppfd (par) cct(color)

XM 10 K SE 115 11,543

AB 10K SE 77 7,930

Ushio 10K SE 85 9,727

Reeflux 10K SE 86 15,953

Aquaconnect 14K SE 83 0

Apparently unable to get a correct color reading on the Aquaconnect, but it is more blue than the Reeflux:

[/IMG]

 

[phatstanley02]

reeflux 10k and xm 20k

 

[HenryTran]

It looks as though the Reeflux 10k is pretty nice. I think I will go with these and 2 actinics. The XM 10K is also a good option, but may be a little tad yellow.

Sorry to ask, but what is a good par reading? Is it the higher the better or if you reach a certain reading it should be good.

Thanks

 

[MNreefer386]

I use 2 Blueline 14k's on icecap ballasts and I really like the color. It's probably more like a 12k - they have less blue than hamilton 14k's.

 

[ferventforager]

I like the xm 10k bulbs. They have very high PAR values, but I will admit that even with my 150W actinic per 250w MH they are crisp white (not blue).

 

[arconom]

I have used Ushio's,XM10,Ham14k,Reeflux 10k

I have to say for growth 10K XM's Are beyond incredible for growth.

I have been using the Reeflux and love the color. Growth is also ok but not great.

 

[Emster]

I have seen Davids tank in person and those Aquaconnect bulbs do rock. I had been thinking of getting the reeflux 10k but after seeing those aquaconnect 14k's I think I am going to get them. He even turned off the actinics and they did not look to blue to me and I run Hammy 10k's. The par is almost as good as the reeflux.

 

[trueblackpercula]

13k megachrome

 

[Kent E]

I love the xm 10k!

 

[icliao]

I used both XM and BLV 10KK.
I find BLV has whiter color is more pleasing to the eye without artinic.
I am not sure about the PAR though.
Did any one test it?