which 250w mh bulb?

[Alto]

I am going with a 250 watt metal halide SE over my 29 gallon. Its going to be the only source of light at least for the moment, I may add some PC/T5 actinics to it in the future but I'd like to run just the MH.

For people who have used them or have read some reviews on them which would be the best bulb to go MH only with? I was looking at several on an online vendor and the ones that I was looking at were the Hamilton 14K, the XM 15K, or the CoralVue 14K. Which would you go with, and if none of them, which would you use instead?

 

[frontosa_man80]

i like the reeflux 12k bulb. the xm 15k i read has the worst par rating out of all.

all the bulbs in my house are now reeflux 12k. 6 total.

-jesse

 

[bajabum]

I like the 10k xm. I have been testing a few bulbs in my frag tank and 10k xm has beat them all so far.

 

[truthdesigns]

I have a 14k hamilton right now I like It but I heard that the
14k Phoenix is awsome!

 

[azrednex]

I'm running DEs but I have great growth and excellent color from my Phoenix 14Ks

 

[Alto]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9940851#post9940851 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bajabum
I like the 10k xm. I have been testing a few bulbs in my frag tank and 10k xm has beat them all so far.

And you use this bulb by itself with no supplemental actinics?

 

[jaredloo]

14K Phoenix

 

[Alto]

Does the 14K phoenix come in SE? I think I have only seen it in the DE

 

[jaredloo]

It's DE, Right. Before you make your decision, compare the bulbs you are thinking of getting with this tool provided by Dr. Sanjay: http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/select2lamp.php
It's pretty helpful when comparing Par. There are a bunch of articles too that you should read on his sight.

Good Luck!

 

[bajabum]

I am replacing my 14k Phoenix with a 10k xm in the future. Van's blue stag is only a blue tip stag under the Phoenix bulbs.
IMO par is a meaningless number for MH. Based on my research What is important is the amount of high energy violet/ultraviolet the bulb produces. It has been my experience that light in this area is very damaging to corals. If you look at the color spectrum for a specific bulb, be looking at the spectrum 420 nm and below. I have removed all sources that produce signifigant violet light from my coral tanks (430 nm and down). Manufactures are able to market the violet light because it causes florecense. I call it false color.
My rare corals only get 10k xm.

 

[Satori]

I only have experience with 14k Hamilton. I don't know what my tank would look like now if it had been growing for the last year with a different bulb type, all I know is that I have excellent growth and color with 3 250w 14k Hamiltons. Maybe a different bulb would have made it better, but probably not.

 

[Satori]

For comparison, here it was one year ago:

 

[truthdesigns]

WOW Satori tank looks really nice!!

Whats the depth of your tank and also whats your photoperiod?
If you don't mind me askin:0)

 

[Satori]

Thanks! It's 72x24x24.
Actinic VHOs run 13 hours, the middle halide runs 11 hours, and the two end halides run 10 hours.

 

[Alto]

Now I am kind of wavering between the 14K hamilton and the 10K XM, possibly with some 65 watt actinic supplements on the XM depending what it looks like. I do like what I have seen in regards to the 10K XM bulbs.

BTW Satori your tank looks amazing, I guess you cant complain about results like that from your bulb.

 

[Satori]

Thanks Alto. I think there are much bigger factors than bulb selection when it comes to coral growth. Ed (Roll221) had phenomenal growth and color, and he only used 20k XM. IMHO, just pick the wattage and the color you like. Forget PAR and all the exhausting comparison charts of bulb/ballast combos.

 

[Satori]

But to quote another member's signature: "Of course, I may be completely wrong." :lol:

 

[jaredloo]

No, I agree with you Satori. While I like to compare the charts, to be quite honest, I don't base my decision on the charts, I base it on what looks good asthetically to me.

Lighting is very important, but just as important as other factors such as flow, food, water quality, trace elements etc.

Alto, I second what Satori says, pick the wattage and color, don't go with a crappy bulb, but when it comes down to the decision, you'll probable get just as good of growth from Hami as you will from an XM or visa versa, as long as other factors are kept good as well.

I ran 175W Iwasaki 15K's for the longest time, and got great growth and color out of them. Granted, more watts the better. But the point is, most of these good lights are pretty comparable.

Just My Opinion.

 

[Alto]

Well I appreciate everyones input I think I am going to go with the 14K Hamilton.