Replacement bulbs

[Burbs]

thinking about replacing the bulbs on my 250w MH system it currently has 14k in it and i was wondering if anyone recomended something higher or lower. Also recommend a brand of builbs and where to ge them, Thnx.

 

[Shooter7]

Bulbs are a pretty personal choice when it comes to color. The higher k's being more blue, but often lacking in PAR. Kind of depends on what you have going in your tank. For example, I have a lot of SPS frags that I want to get some growth out of, so for now I have 10k lights going that have good PAR. I am currently using Reeflux 10k's, but have used Ushio 10k's and Reeflux 12k's before as well.

 

[Burbs]

so lower "k" promotes better growth?

 

[Shooter7]

In my ventures and searches through the SPS forum, the 10k bulbs are often recommended for those looking for increased growth from their corals. I don't proclaim to be a lighting specialist, but in my many readings of threads and articles, bulbs like the 10k XM, Ushio, and Reeflux are often recommended. There are several guys over there who like the 20k bulbs, or bulbs like the Reeflux 12k, but they mostly run them in 400w instead of 250w. I got poor growth from my 250w Reeflux 12k's, better growth from my Ushio 10k's (though I wasn't real happy with the color of the tank overall), and I'm getting very good growth in general from my current Reeflux 10k's.

 

[Burbs]

thnx for the info

 

[mdefo25]

CoralVue 12,000K

 

[sharko88]

10000K bulb will see more growth, but without actinics will be too yellow. Reeflex makes a great 12000K bulb.

 

[Shooter7]

True, the Reeflux 12k bulb looks good to the eye, but its PAR readings leave something to be desired in the 250w range, and therefore aren't real conducive to growth of SPS. Ran them for about 9 months previously.