what 150w hqi bulb are you using and why?

[mystery_reef]

my other thread was a complete fail. so heres a new one.

as title states.
what kind?
why?
what corals do you keep best or look best with it?
and any other input welcome!
thanks in advance.
also, where is your favorite place to purchase bulbs?
locally or online.

 

[Jeff]

Reeflux 20K
Appearance and the par numbers were better then Radiums
Any corals, but oranges, reds and greens really pop
Aquacave

I did a lot of research on RC before ordering and found that the people that switched from Radiums to the Reeflux were thrilled. It's not as blue as some people think.

 

[mystery_reef]

jeff do you think if i went with the 20k i should stick with 4 pure actinic pcs or do 50/50s?
aquacave equals...tax but the price on the reeflux is pretty good compared to the radiums.
how much life do you get out of the reeflux before you really start to notice them fade. i run my bulbs 7.5 hours a day and try and get at least a year out of them or until corals colors start to change.

 

[mystery_reef]

wow, who else carries these bulbs besides aquacave?

 

[poidog81]

I use the radium.
got it for it's color, par value, and life span.
It's a nice crisp white with a nice blue antinic pop. my reds and oranges look good under it. I'm curious to see the reeflux in person to compare. So far i'm really happy with the radium.

 

[kelleyga36]

Phoenix 14k. Good color Great growth.Most all sps in my tank.Make the purples and greens look great.Little faded on the reds and blues.Local for under $45.

 

[mystery_reef]

for the price and jeffs review/research i am most likely going to try the reeflux 20k but not many places carry it.

 

[poidog81]

i think the reeflux 20k is brand new

 

[Jeff]

jeff do you think if i went with the 20k i should stick with 4 pure actinic pcs or do 50/50s?
aquacave equals...tax but the price on the reeflux is pretty good compared to the radiums.
how much life do you get out of the reeflux before you really start to notice them fade. i run my bulbs 7.5 hours a day and try and get at least a year out of them or until corals colors start to change.

I just started using it so I cant say how it will do in the long run but it's been out around a year or so and I havent seen anything bad written about it. I'm not sure if Aquacave is the cheapest. I think it was a couple dollars more then a couple places but I put in a large order there a couple months ago so I got it at the time.

Lots of good info from hobbiests: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1524211

 

[FiReBReTHa]

I want to try reeflux next.

Before I was running a PG 14k (this pic is with actinics)

but now the new light has 10k t5HO's so I want to balance with a bluer bulb.

 

[jdhanover]

I have the same question and a follow up - Would you all suggest that all three bulbs be 20K or should the middle be 14K (or does that look dumb)? Not 100% what bulbs I have in mine but two of them are definitely whiter than the third (which looks yellowish and I don't like it much)

 

[customdusty]

I'm using Radiums. I recently changed to them so I can't speak of growth rates just yet, but the color they give off is an intense white/blue. Very sharp.

 

[mystery_reef]

I have the same question and a follow up - Would you all suggest that all three bulbs be 20K or should the middle be 14K (or does that look dumb)? Not 100% what bulbs I have in mine but two of them are definitely whiter than the third (which looks yellowish and I don't like it much)

thanks for all the input guys.

i was thinking the same thing as this since i run 3 over my 125. i was thinking 20k----10k-----20k but will most likely go all 20k


if they are the stock bulbs you most likely have 10k.

 

[Jeff]

I have never done it but I would imagine that putting a 10K in the middle wouldnt look bad.

 

[mystery_reef]

^^^