Which 250w MH bulb to get??

[vietcu]

I have decided to go with 250w MH for my system, and was wondering which bulb have you guys gotten and recommend? Right now I am leaning towards getting something in the 14k-15k range, but not really sure.

 

[GROWSZOAS]

love the ushio 14 nice crisp color

 

[gelatin_man]

I think 14 or 15k looks really good....brand is kind of important but as long as you have the kelvin rating should be okay. If you want em really cheap check out greatdel on ebay he has them really cheap usually

 

[anaelitz]

I've got the ushio's too...I like them

 

[serpentman]

Are you planning to supplement with actinics? Is your current setup HQI or Mogul?

Personally, I have found the Ushio 14Ks too white for my liking. With supplementation they look good. However, at that point, I would consider 10K's w/ actinics.

I have run the cheap ebay bulbs, they do work. However, ultimately you do get what you pay for. There is a difference between higher end bulbs.

 

[vietcu]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I did some reading last night and found that a lot of people have that phoenix 14k and like the color. Also saw some pictures of it so I went ahead and bought a set. Planning on also supplementing with a couple actinic T5s. Did my research and went with HQI setup, so that in a future date when I upgrade tanks I can just use these lights that I just got. Got the DIY reflectors (can't afford the name brand version yet, will get them at a later date) with 2 14k Phoenix bulb and 2 250w Icecap ballast. Wonder if this is overdoing it for a 75g tank

 

[funkyman]

I don't have any room under my canopy for supplementation, so I run the Phoenix 14K's. It's a nice balance and I can get away without actinics then.

I've tried the Ushio 14K's and also thought they were to white (for me).

 

[sohal1025]

This helps me out too guys cause I am in the process of shopping for a 250MH set up. Any other thoughts to add to this guys.

 

[DEERE G]

I am using (2) SE Hamilton 250w,14K with Lumenarc Mini's on my 120 and I am very pleased with the color. I dont have much in the way of corals yet to comment on how they work for growth.( I am in the market by the way for some easier type corals.)The bulbs are not to blue , not too white IMO. I bought the bulbs from HelloLights when they had a special going on. Keith

 

[Aadler]

I would use 20k Ushio's. I just switched on my 40g (20" deep)from the pheonix 14k's, which do look nice. But I am happier with the 20k ushio. Salty sells them.

 

[vivek]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13481729#post13481729 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Aadler
I would use 20k Ushio's. I just switched on my 40g (20" deep)from the pheonix 14k's, which do look nice. But I am happier with the 20k ushio. Salty sells them.

any issues you noticed with growth using the 20k ushio?
i had 20k 400w xm's and i had no growth. changed to reeflux 12k and growth has improved. but it could also be something else in the tank.( starved corals. new tank). since i have started feeding more my corals are saying thank u. just my 2 cents.

 

[vietcu]

Hey sohal, if you are looking into buying a 250 setup, go to www.aquacave.com and look up a coupon code on the net, you get %5 off total order. Cheapest I found in my search on buying a 250w setup.

 

[Aadler]

I dont think growth has stopped, it is not as good, well, some coral (encrusting monti's, sunset + superman + rainbow) have all continued to grow and those three have grown much better. But I have also been feeding the tanks more (NURTRAMAR Prawn Ova buy this now!) so that has helped as well.

 

[sohal1025]

veitcu, thanks I will check it out...