Which bulb, which brand and why

[phishcrazee]

I need to reorder bulbs........ I currently have 14k 250 watt bulbs of what brand, I'm not sure. I like the look ok and growth seems to be fine, but I'm just wondering if I can get something better ie, improve somehow. What are you using and how do you like it?

 

[jtesdall]

10K because they have higher PAR and then add Actinic to get more blue. At least that is my plan.

Usio 250W 10K bulbs are rated at 95 PAR compared to my current 15K XM's at about 55 PAR. Haven't actually done this yet but that is my plan.

Anyone agree or disagree?

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

I use 20k only because I am using 2-400's over my 75 gal. I figure the 20 k's will still have good par as 10k 250 watters but also will have the nice blue color.

 

[mwood]

http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/

enjoy

 

[silvers]

10k for par value and I like the more white look. the higher the kelvin the less par in most cases. there are a few 20k that do better than 15k and if 175w the iwasaki 14k is the brighest 175w on the market it all depends on bulb and ballist go to http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/ for comparing

 

[mwood]

ps, what ballast? electronic, magnetic, hqi, pulse, probe? brand?

 

[mwood]

pps, check out reeflux. 10k and 12k are both nice and the new ushio 14k is also nice. ushio also goes by blv.

 

[slovan]

Re: Which bulb, which brand and why

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11347325#post11347325 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by phishcrazee
I need to reorder bulbs........ I currently have 14k 250 watt bulbs of what brand, I'm not sure. I like the look ok and growth seems to be fine, but I'm just wondering if I can get something better ie, improve somehow. What are you using and how do you like it?

Along with the questions from Marcus, what is the current brand of the 250's? SE or DE? What color temperature do you like?

 

[phishcrazee]

I have this, the double ended HQI type:

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_Aquar...alide_sunlight_reef_optix_plus_reflector.html

and a ballast like this:

http://www.marinedepot.com/IMD/250/SL1133/SL1133_99.jpg


S*nlight Supply Blue Wave 3 250W HQI Metal Halide Ballast
I believe it's an electronic ballast


I can't tell what the current brand of bulb is.... they came with the fixtures. It says SE on them though. I like the look of the tank ok now, although it is a little bit on the white side, just wondering what the other bulbs have to offer?

 

[slovan]

IME, I did a lot of searching on 250W DE bulbs before settling on the Phoenix 14K. It's supposed to be a real good combination of PAR and color, I thought it lived up to the expectations of both. Do a search on them, I think they're the most popular bulbs in the 250W DE segment.

 

[annamarie421]

Hey Fawn -
Let me know when you order. I'm thinking about getting a Phoenix 14K bulb for my tank too (150 watt version though). Maybe we could split shipping price?
Anna

 

[jtesdall]

Remember, Hello lights has free shipping on MH Bulbs.

 

[leeweber85]

JB has the phoenix 14ks.. the color looked good to me. I believe they are one of the highest PAR HQI bulbs available.