What a difference bulb makes....

[jwar]

I have been using some inexpensive 175W 10,000K metal halides that I purchased on ebay for $29/per and supplementing them with 96W PC actinics. I have been having issues with hair algae off and on for the last few months. I finally saved enough money to upgrade to some new Iwasaki 15,000K 175W bulbs and the difference is astounding. First check out the picture of what the tank looked like when I changed out one and turned off the actinics. The second pic is with all three bulbs swapped out. I couldn't be happier, well unless my algae problems clear up, but until then I am pleased.

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[herostar]

Your tank looks much better with the high quality bulbs!!! much better!


I've used the Iwasaki's over everything from a 10g to my 58g ever since my first Hamilton 10k burnt out and have been more than pleased with the results. The Iwasaki's are bright!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The Iwi 15K's are probably the best 175's you can get. Just goes to show you get what you pay for. That other one look more light a sodium vapor lamp (street light)m than a 10K

Nice rock work in the tank by the way.

 

[jwar]

I think you are spot on with the sodium vapor comment. I never ran those lights without the actinics and didn't realize how yellow the looked. I have cut the timer on the new MH lights to four hours for now. I hope they don't cook anything today while I am at work....

 

[goslugsgo]

I just installed the same lightbulb. Coming from XM 10k, I dropped the photoperiod to four hours as well. Keep us posted on how your corals respond.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

You are correct to be concerned about cooking the corals.

This isn't great for Halide to halide comparisons but we all know the Tek T5 will grow SPS in tanks at least 20" tall. Look what the Iwi in a good reflector did against a Tek

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=925100

 

[goslugsgo]

Oh my.
3 hrs?

 

[jwar]

Thanks for the link. Reading through the test makes me feel even better about shelling out a little more for the nicer bulbs. Now if I could only fit the Lumenarc reflectors into my retrofit canopy, I would be in even better shape. I have one of those Catalina Aquarium retrofit kits installed in my canopy with 3 x 175W mogul sockets and four 96W powercompact sockets. I purchased it a few years ago when I had a freshwater planted tank. The MH reflectors are just simple rounded pieces of aluminum, and the whole unit has a polished reflective surface, it's bright, but it isn't even close to the capabilities of the Lumenarc reflectors. Does anyone know if there is a similar reflector that I could get to replace my existing ones in the retrofit kit?

 

[goslugsgo]

Lumenarc makes a mini version: 14.5"x14.5"x6.5".
Would that fit?

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Wow jwar. Good decision on changing the bulbs. And thanks for the comparison.

 

[jwar]

I think those will fit. I will probably have to abandon the whole retro kit that I have, or modify it to attach those. Man, it's true you get what you pay for, and those aren't cheap either. Time to start saving my pennies.....

 

[goslugsgo]

Especially when you have to buy multiples they get wicked expensive.
FWIW I have mine in a full-size LAIII and really like it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15409979#post15409979 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jwar
I think those will fit. I will probably have to abandon the whole retro kit that I have, or modify it to attach those. Man, it's true you get what you pay for, and those aren't cheap either. Time to start saving my pennies.....

SLS makes a Lumenmax reflector that is small and nice too.

 

[goslugsgo]

Most of my corals look better under this light, however the rainbow monti looks insane.

 

[jwar]

I think all of my corals look much better under this light. Even the fish have a more vibrant look to them.

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[jwar]

This Duncan started as a single head in February

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[goslugsgo]

Nice!

 

[sedor]

Wow what a difference. Just goes to show that in this hobby it rarely pays off to go the cheap route. You truly get what you pay for.