Looking into the 20k coralvue DE HQI bulbs?

[headhawg7]

Do I need the coralvue HQI ballast for these bulbs to run at their peak performance? I am using a PFO HQI ballast right now. I want the bulbs to run at their peak effiency. Thanks Danny

 

[jasonfrey]

Hi Danny,

the CoralVue hqi ballast will run them at peak performance, but i think the PFO hqi will do this as well. So unless you are wanting to change for a little electrical savings, i would just stick with your PFO ballast.

 

[headhawg7]

Ok, thats what I will do then. Do you like the look of these 20k DE coralvue bulbs? Does this PAR look good enough for SPS corals? Do you have a place where I can see a pic of this bulb in action? Thanks Danny

 

[jasonfrey]

I'm running the 20K Coralvue 250watt DE on my office tank. Been running 1 week, so not burned all the way in yet. I like the color much better then XM 20K, it's very bright for a 20K, but you do loose some intensity compared to a 10K, probaby 20%. The color is a nice blue, but by itself it looks off a little. I'm not a big fan of blue halides though, just personal taste in color, like the more warm color. So i'm running some aquasun VHO whites with the halide and that makes it look very nice for my taste.

I think it would be enough for sps corals, i think you'll get better growth with 10K and VHO actinics, but it's a nice alternative that offers nice color and a lot less algae on the glass. I clean my glass every other day with 10K halide, i clean my glass every 2 or 3 weeks with 20k halide.

jason

 

[headhawg7]

Thanks Jason