Which bulbs to buy???

[ladybug5234]

Boy I am full of questions lately... I am looking for new bulbs for my MH because I think mine are spent. I currently run two 250w 14k SPS (Pacific Suns) bulbs and loved the color they gave out, up until now (corals are looking washed out). I generally like the color that 14k provides (not too much blue or too much white), so I am looking for suggestions on other brands that may do a good job. Oh, I have ARO ballasts and mini Lumenarc reflectors and I dont supplement with anything else, although I could add 2 VHO actinics in there (tricky job in this canopy but I'm sure I could work it in).

Oh, and if you know of any deals, kindly send them my way, please?

 

[flfireman1]

You didnt mention if you were running DE (double ended) or SE (Single ended) bulbs. I run Phoenix 14ks and love them. Ive heard people mention that they are a little more blue than a true 14k, which would work in your favor since your not running attinic supplementation. You also cant pass up on the deal given out by SOSlightbulbs. The 250w phoenix 14k bulbs are $49.99
HTH
Eric

 

[ladybug5234]

Yes, my bad.... single ended bulbs, so the Phoenix is out because their sale is only on DE bulbs. I did notice though that they have Ushio 14k's for $77. Anyone know what these look like? I've run Ushios before but only DE. FWIW, I really liked them, but I know SE colors run totally different.

 

[JWright02]

Aly,

Im shopping around for bulbs myself. Im thinking Phoneix 14k because Ive heard a whole lot of good things. But Im also looking at Radium 20ks. I have never personally seen any tank with the Phoenix, and havent seen a tank with Radiums in a long time so its hard to make a decision for me aswell heh.

Im gonna tag along here to see if anyone brings up any deals or suggestions .

 

[bolo7735]

I like the Radium 20K.

 

[illal]

im going try try the 20k radium as soon as i can scape up the $$

 

[Rogger Castells]

Radium's would be my first choice too.

 

[ladybug5234]

I thought about them, but I am concerned because I dont enjoy a purely blue tank. Aren't Radium 20k??? And can my ARO ballasts run them?

 

[ReefWreak]

The ARO ballasts are electronic (at least the ones for sale online), so they will light basically any bulb, though depending on their voltages, they may burn dimmer/bluer or brighter/whiter, I don't really know for that ballast. The old icecaps used to be dimmer, the newer ones are brighter. Kind of a toss up.

If you want actinic but not too much blue, the EVC 20k are $55 a piece, and Keith ran them over his tank for a few years (the DE version though, different brand name however EXACTLY same color bulb, as per the distributor, ReefScience). I thought they were great, as they were white with purple, not really blue like the Radiums.

All of that being said, I'm torn between the Radiums and EVC 20k for a recommendation. If you want something more intermediary, maybe try 12k Reeflux or even 10k reeflux, which were white on the blue side (especially if your ballast underdrives it a little bit, but they are made for electronic ballasts). The 10k Reeflux also brought out some really fantastic blue colors from my corals, though everything else looked flatter compared to the XM10ks, but that's not a fair comparison, because XM 10ks make coral colors explode out of the corals, but they're also fairly yellow/white bulbs, even on dimmer ballasts.

 

[ladybug5234]

I have tried Reeflux 10k and 12k and liked neither. Although the 12k was a bit bluer than 10k, both were still too pale for me. I do like blue in the tank, I just dont want it looking like I am looking thru a submarine's porthole at 1k feet, that's all.

I was just on hellolights and they have 15k XM for $70 each, and provide a 100% guarantee for 30 days if you dont like them. I am tempted to try them... any opionions?

 

[illal]

ive never tried the 15k but i like the 10k!

 

[Linesider]

Aly i would add those T5 or vhos have real nm actinic and go with a 10-15k bulb..

 

[ReefWreak]

I have tried Reeflux 10k and 12k and liked neither. Although the 12k was a bit bluer than 10k, both were still too pale for me. I do like blue in the tank, I just dont want it looking like I am looking thru a submarine's porthole at 1k feet, that's all.

I was just on hellolights and they have 15k XM for $70 each, and provide a 100% guarantee for 30 days if you dont like them. I am tempted to try them... any opionions?

If you thought the 12k was too pale, just get the radium. It won't be too blue, and it won't be like looking through a porthole at 1000ft I think turning the lights off would be similar to that.....

Have you been able to check out anyone's tanks locally and see what bulb/ballast combo you've liked? There's nothing like seeing them in person...

 

[ladybug5234]

Thanks Marcos, I am leaning that route also. I'll see about getting the canopy down and retrofitting the VHOs in there somehow.

ReefWreak - I haven't seen Radiums in person, or any other bulb combo for that matter although I would love to. I live really far North and there aren't many reefers up here to visit. Also, I just dont know how much longer I have with these bulbs. I have extra ones that are basically new, but they are crappy ebay ones and I dont want to risk the corals getting burned, which has happened to me before with ebay bulbs.

 

[JWright02]

Aly... were on the same perdicament. I need to go check out some tanks to see light combos. Im between XM 10k, Phoenix 14k, or Radiums. On all combos Im gonna run 4x 110 actinics tho for dusk/dawn.

I didnt know Hellolights had a guarantee. I might take em up on it.
LMK what you do.

 

[ladybug5234]

Laz, yeah I just wrote them an email verifying that they would honor it and they replied that they would. Return the bulb (XM 14k only) within 30 days and they will refund 100% of your purchase price minues S/H, but from my understanding, they ship free.

 

[bolo7735]

I agree with ReefWreak. You need to see other people's tank with the different bulb and ballast. I have seen Rogger's set up and like it very much. That's what made my decision going Radium 20K. I don't feel the bulb is super blue to my taste.

 

[David - Miami]

I went with Radium as well and I loved the color. The first week was more blue than once they burned in. I recommend them highly.

 

[Cultivatedcoral]

Radiums will make your corals pop, no doubt about it.