Opinions Needed

[sirreal63]

I am looking for opinions on 250 watt 10K double ended HQI bulbs. What does everyone use? I am looking for par and nice white color.

 

[Nanook]

DE bulbs work great for smaller areas. IMO, the reflector size is their main drawback. Compared with mogule-based bulbs using much larger reflectors like Lumenarc's, they fall short.

Having used DE bulbs for a few years, they are a PIA to fit into the sockets versus just screwing a mogule in. Occasionally, they will break upon insertion into the fixture as well

FWIW, I had all DE bulbs and SLS RO III's for my tanks and decided to go with 400w and Lumenarc reflectors.

For a small tank though, they are pretty decent bulbs, but I am not sure I would get them over the mogule based 250's for lack of hassle.

dave

 

[sirreal63]

I already have the fixture, it is a Hamilton Reefstar and works great...I am looking to change from the Hamilton 14K to a 10K bulb.

 

[Nanook]

Ushio 10K

 

[trottman]

wat are ushio 10k? why are they so good? do they gome in 150 HQI?

 

[sirreal63]

The Ushio 10K has about the highest par for a 250 watt DE bulb on an HQI ballust, it is the reported yellow color I am wondering about.

 

[Nanook]

I ran them for a few years on hqi ballast...no yellow to my eyes whatsoever...do they look better with actinics? To my eyes all 10K's look better with actinic supplementation...but if you do not like a crisp white and want a bluer bulb, then you will have to go up to 12-14K.

 

[trottman]

do they make this bulb in 150 HQI? and what are the best pc actinic?

 

[beaker77]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7216532#post7216532 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by trottman
do they make this bulb in 150 HQI? and what are the best pc actinic?

Yes they come in 150w
MarineDepot
or
TheReefStop

 

[beaker77]

I have the Ushio 150w 10K on my anemone tank. I don't think they are yellow at all.

 

[sirreal63]

Goos to know.

 

[sirreal63]

Actually I was wrong, the XM have the highest par for my format. I hate decisions. lol

 

[DrBDC]

I like my xm bulbs and get good growth but I am going over to the aqua2 Iwasaki 14,000K bulbs since they're out for the 175 se size and higher par than most the 250's. If they have it for a de I'd check into that if I were you.

 

[sirreal63]

The EVC bulb puts out 147 PPFD which is smoking hot for a sheilded DE bulb but who in the world is EVC?