I just set up a 120 gallon tank that will be sps dominated. I have the 250 Watt DE MegaChrome Blue bulbs in ROIII pendents, and will be supplementing them with 3- 48" t-5's. Has anyone used these bulbs? I know the PAR will be much lower for these bulbs, but I am hoping to get maximum color with the Halides and using the T-5's for growth (6500K and Actinic T-5). I like the way the bulbs look, but ultimately I am wondering if they will accomplish what I am looking for.
MegaChrome Blue- Anyone use them?
- Thread starter Mark C
- Start date
kevensquint
Active member
I bought the 13k giesemann 250 watt SE's, what a friggin' waste of money. I took them out last week, and I only tolerated them this long (5 months) because of how much they cost me. I hope you have better luck with the 20 k DE's.
lesniewv
New member
I thought they were very purple compared to other blue bulbs. I have one that was used for less than 2 months....I'll sell it to you for $30 plus $5 shipping if you want it. You can see if it's something you like without spending a lot like I did, only to find you don't like the color. I will say that the few corals i had under it colored up really well and looked very nice compared to when they were under the Hamilton 14k's. I ran it with IC ballast in ROIII reflectors.
Fliger
New member
I am using the 14.5 Megachromes with 2x54W right now and I am getting great growth and color. My T5 on about 12H and my MH on about 4H. If you can exchange them, I think you might like the 14.5 bulbs. Giesemann swapped them for me when I bought their fixture. I think your growth might suffer unless you get whiter T5 bulbs.
jackson6745
Yeah Yeah
BLV10K...best bulb I ever used.
With 3 48" t5 actinics the overall color is very nice.
With 3 48" t5 actinics the overall color is very nice.
Fliger
New member
I used to run that bulb and I totally agree. Mine was BLV 10K 250W DE. Incredible growth. But the BEST growth I've ever had was 2x250W AB 10K's which were kinda yellow. I had 4x54W T5, three B+ and one Actinic. I had great growth and color. But I liked the overall tank look of the BLV better. I actually have an Aqua-Medic on the way with two 10K AB's and 4x54W all in one pendant. If I don't like it, I'll be replacing the AB's with the BLV's.
jackson6745
Yeah Yeah
I ran the 10k Ab's for a while, my 3 VHO's still didn't offset the yellow. The AB's are super bright though, but so is a 65k 
Yeah, I am waiting on my T-5's to come in... I ordered a Midday, B+, and an actinic. I am hoping the midday and B+ will give me the better growth, and the actinic will offset the yellow color for when only the T-5's are on. Do you think there might be a better combination of T-5's? I will at least try and stick with the 20K for now unless I am just getting terrible color or growth.
Fliger
New member
You're really gonna have to play with them. The B+ will be close to your MH. I don't like the actinic whatsoever. I think a good combo might be the Sun that are below 10K and the Aquablue. I would replace that actinic with the Aquablue at the very least. Sun, Aquablue, Blue+ might be good.
IME a lot of visual color also has to do with how clear your water is, what color your background is, do you have coralline and what corals you keep. It is SO subjective. But since you have MH - AND - three T5's - what I think would be great is to go more of a 14.5 MC or the BLV 10K - with Blue Plus and Aquasun.
Just MVVVHO.
IME a lot of visual color also has to do with how clear your water is, what color your background is, do you have coralline and what corals you keep. It is SO subjective. But since you have MH - AND - three T5's - what I think would be great is to go more of a 14.5 MC or the BLV 10K - with Blue Plus and Aquasun.
Just MVVVHO.
