MH SE 250 watt Bulb

[cotter4601]

It's about that time to start looking at bulb replacements and I'm looking for some input. I did a little research on which bulbs provide the best PAR. I have 2, 250w ARO ballasts and current have XM10k bulbs. I would like something a little more blue, but not loose the PAR value. I was looking at the reefflux bulb, but it's PAR is too low. What would you suggest?

 

[rigleautomotive]

the aqua connect 14k or the geisman 14 k are the best of both worlds.I run the xm20k on the aro ballasts and i am happy with the results.

 

[cotter4601]

Would you know the PAR values of those bulbs?

 

[rigleautomotive]

here is a link to sanjays # on th bulbs.the geismans are not listed for 250 watt but you can tell how high the par is from the specs on the 400 watt geisman coral bulbs

http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe....+Shielded&tfm_order=ASC&tfm_orderby=lamp_name

 

[rickyfins]

You won't be disappointed with the 20K XM, Dan aren't yours running rather white on the ARO?

I am running those on MAG ballasts and they aren't blue.

Not bright white, but not a deep blue.

 

[cotter4601]

I'm considering a 14k bulb at the moment, but still unsure. I have 2 vho actinics so I don't need to go too blue. Decisions... decisions....

 

[rickyfins]

Well I am running 2 VHO actinics as well as 2 250W XM 20k and a 400W XM 20k in the center without it looking too blue.

Depends on the ballast though, my mags run them whiter than some of the electronic ballasts out there so I am happy with the result.

 

[tnyr5]

Any time you switch to a bluer bulb you're going to loose par, the good news is that you don't really need the amount of par in 2 x 250w XM 10k to run a 65 gallon tank. That amount of light could probably run a 250 gallon tank without much of a problem. Good growth and color will come under many many different bulbs provided your parameters are stable and in the proper ranges.

 

[cotter4601]

Thanks for the info... My tank has been very stable and growth has been quite good.

 

[cotter4601]

I'm just about ready to make a purchase. I am considering this bulb, but I cannot find it's PAR value. Anyone know?

250 Watt 14000K Metal Halide Bulb - Blue Life SPS (South Pacific Sunlight), Mogul Base on an ARO ballast.