savethereef
SCRK
the water looks nicer now thats its cleared up.
Project 180, a peninsula room divider LOG
- Thread starter chrisguy
- Start date
chrisguy
New member
The pendant I have currenlty has 3 XM 10K 250w bulbs with dual Actinic 140w VHO. I'm looking to replace one of the MH bulbs because the color is very yellow compared to the other two. I did some reading and it's my understanding that this was/is an issue with some of the XM 10K bulbs.
At the same time, while the color of other two bulbs is white, I'm looking at some of my corals and feel like the colors are not "popping" like they did under my old lights. My old setup was dual 250w SE 14K (I think Hamilton) with 1 Actinic and 1 50/50, both 110w.
I'm considering either a Phoenix 14K, or a Hamilton 14K (currently on sale at Premium Aquatics) or a replacement XM 10K.
Anyone have a .02 on any of these bulbs or perhaps a different bulb I should consider??
At the same time, while the color of other two bulbs is white, I'm looking at some of my corals and feel like the colors are not "popping" like they did under my old lights. My old setup was dual 250w SE 14K (I think Hamilton) with 1 Actinic and 1 50/50, both 110w.
I'm considering either a Phoenix 14K, or a Hamilton 14K (currently on sale at Premium Aquatics) or a replacement XM 10K.
Anyone have a .02 on any of these bulbs or perhaps a different bulb I should consider??
If you decide on the phoenix bulbs you can pull the VHO's and check the color.
What size tank do you have again?
I have 2 - 250 14k on a 90gl. set up a timer one comes on early in the AM and that one goes off first in the evening.
You might want to contact the light fixture company to see if you can use the VHO on a timer?
worth a call!!
What size tank do you have again?
I have 2 - 250 14k on a 90gl. set up a timer one comes on early in the AM and that one goes off first in the evening.
You might want to contact the light fixture company to see if you can use the VHO on a timer?
worth a call!!
chrisguy
New member
My tank is a 180.
I guess I didn't put things clearly before. I have dual VHO and stagger their start time with timers. The way my pendant works is one VHO is also power to one of the fans (air in) and the other VHO is power to the other fan (air out). Without these two fans the MH's would over heat inside the pendant, so the VHO's must stay on, so the fans stay on.
I guess I didn't put things clearly before. I have dual VHO and stagger their start time with timers. The way my pendant works is one VHO is also power to one of the fans (air in) and the other VHO is power to the other fan (air out). Without these two fans the MH's would over heat inside the pendant, so the VHO's must stay on, so the fans stay on.
JCTewks
In Memoriam
Personally, I run the 14K hamilton and love the color...however they do lack the "pop"/flourescence that you get with running actinics.
In setting up my 120 I plan on using XM10K Mh's for the PAR they put out and the growth of the 10K, and use T5 actinic's and blueplus for pop and color balancing.
In setting up my 120 I plan on using XM10K Mh's for the PAR they put out and the growth of the 10K, and use T5 actinic's and blueplus for pop and color balancing.
chrisguy
New member
JCTewks - Thanks for the feedback.
Ordered a single Hamilton 14K. I just couldn't pass up on a good sale.
I figure I can test the bulb, replacing the current yellowish bulb on the end of the display. Even if I'm not thrilled with it, I'm sure it will be better than the current bulb. For the short term, if I'm not loving the bulb, I can put it in the middle of the three, just to keep a degree of balance. If I do like it, I will order 2 more.
Ordered a single Hamilton 14K. I just couldn't pass up on a good sale.
I figure I can test the bulb, replacing the current yellowish bulb on the end of the display. Even if I'm not thrilled with it, I'm sure it will be better than the current bulb. For the short term, if I'm not loving the bulb, I can put it in the middle of the three, just to keep a degree of balance. If I do like it, I will order 2 more.
chrisguy
New member
Thought I would provide a little update. As the major part of my build is complete, I will let this thread fade away. I have a similar thread in our local forum that you are all more than welcome to subscribe to if you are interested in keeping an eye on my progress.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=11108230#post11108230
Thanks for all of you that provided great information and feedback. It is/was very much appreciated!!!!
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=11108230#post11108230
Thanks for all of you that provided great information and feedback. It is/was very much appreciated!!!!
