Metal Halide Bulbs ???

[Krazy]

Looking into some new "10k" Single ended Halide bulbs for the tank, I just replaced both my 96 watt compacts with new "03 blues" so I figured I might as well replace the halides as well so they are all in the same time frame...


Any Suggestions??

What are good bulbs to buy?

I'd like to keep it as least costly as possible but still have a descent bulb..

What are you all using and where did you buy from? Prices??

I bought my 96 watt pc's off "AQUATIC FACTORY" it was $33 shipped to my door for 2 96 watt square pins and they look GREAT... if I can find a deal like that on my halides that'd be awesome...

I use 250watt bulbs if that helps any ???

 

[Lakeside518]

XM's have the highest PAR rating followed by i think Ushio

Here's a link to a good read.

http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm

When i swap out my bulbs when they mature to that age i plan to use XM's

 

[monti-mike]

i think it all depens are u gooing for groth or color, and the $$$ always figured in there too............

there are a bunch of 250's on the market, but u just have to shop around,,,Champion Lighting, Custom Aquatics and a whole bunch more ive ordered from if u need more info let me know...


the 10000k part cant really help u with i like the 6500k bulbs with a tone of vho supp. personally....


peace
mike

 

[scottyc1]

be careful though krazy k, only certain ballasts fire certain bulbs.

 

[Krazy]

I have hamilton bulbs with hamilton ballasts currently ... how do I know what works for what?

 

[scottyc1]

not a 100% sure i bought my metal halide retro kit from marine depot with the magnetic ballasts and they told me (at that time) my ballasts wouldnt work with xm and radium bulbs. your best bet is to contact hamilton themselves and see what they say.

 

[michaelg]

radium bulbs are the ones that tend to be a problem. There is a different ballast for IWAKSI 6500K for optimal burn, but the will light on other ballasts. from all I've read and experienced, XM bulbs run fine on any "normal" ballast- see the hellolights website for info.

 

[Tomzpc]

Keith,

It all depends on the ballasts you are running. Get in touch with Jay (Wagerja). He's got a real good handle on MH bulbs. There's actually some real good threads on the subject on our forum if you have the time to find em.

Tom