MH Bulb Selection Question

[rlpardue]

Hey Jeremy,

It's time to buy new MH bulbs and I'm having trouble making a decision.

I have 2 lumenbrite large pendants, galaxy 250/400 select-a-watt ballasts, a 48" reefbrite tech LED strip, and a reefbreeders value fixture in between the two MH pendants. The tank is 5x2x2.

I've been running 400w 12k Reeflux for the past 9 months and have really enjoyed the white look to them. Previously I ran 250w and 400w Radiums. SPS pigmentation under the 12k Reeflux has been a little too green for my liking. (I'm sure there are many factors at play on pigmentation though)

Given all the LED supplementation, I'm leaning towards trying the 400w 14k Ushio. Compared to the Reeflux 12k, is it yellower? I would enjoy a little more brightness in the tank. Compared to Radiums (which are too blue for me), will I get good color out of my SPS with the 14k Ushios? The Copps and Sanjay tanks clearly seem to have good pigmentation, but then again I am not Copps or Sanjay

Have any tips or suggestions for me?

 

[jasonfrey]

Hi Lee,

I think the 12K Reeflux would be brighter then the 14K Ushio, but the Ushio's would look nice. Although the 14K Ushio has a pretty strong blue tint, probably not as much as the 20K radium but getting close.

Is your select watt ballast have a 400watt overdrive setting? If not, have you seen the Radium's over driven? They were designed for hqi ballasts, which overdrive them and you get more white out of them compared to a standard electronic 400watt. Running overdrive on electronic would get you close to a 400true hqi ballast.

Thank You,

Jason Frey
Premium Aquatics, Inc
sales@premiumaquatics.com
http://www.premiumaquatics.com
317-895-9005