WTB 250w MH?

[rams_1_again]

Getting ready to change out my MH lights and wanted to get some opinions before I change them out. I am currently using 14K 250W Hamilton bulbs on a PFO ballast. I like the color of the 14K bulbs but am open to other brands. Does anyone prefer other bulb manufacturers and if so why?

 

[toungetwster]

I'm using 14k 250 Reeflux..I think the color is awesome. To me; I was ready to use some T-5's for supplimental lights, but after the reeflux I don't think I really need them.

 

[bigmayreefer]

i really like my pheonix 14k. everything looks good under it and i have pretty decent growth.

 

[rams_1_again]

Does an know of a good resource for comparing diferent bulbs without spending a small fortune on ones that I may not be happy with? I'm fine with my Hamilton bulbs but I am willing to make a change and this would be the perfect time to do so.

I realize that everyone will have a different view on what is best. I guess I'm just curious to see what everyone else is using.

 

[rams_1_again]

Thanks for the feedback toungetwster and bigmayreefer!

 

[mgengha]

I currently have a 250W 10K Hamilton for my tank and I'm looking for a 14K. I just got my lighting setup back in late April. Would you be interested in possibly trading bulbs to see if you like it?

 

[DrBDC]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7470773#post7470773 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rams_1_again
Does an know of a good resource for comparing diferent bulbs without spending a small fortune on ones that I may not be happy with?

Here are some links for lighting. The Sanjay's one will plot out a spectral graph and ppfd ratings of 2 bulb/ballast combo's which you can see which spectrums are the heaviest. That's hard to translate to visual though. I'd compare the color of your current bulb to the graph, maybe another tank or two to their respective graph, then attempt to read it.

The second link has some pics of different ones with the bulb/ballast combos in a table formula although the output rating is in par vs. the ppfd like the first link. Don't really go by the pics too much since as you know the computer doesn't really show the pics right.

The next is of some 175's but still the same idea.

And then I'm throwing on a reflector link just because.

http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/select2lamp.php

http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm


http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/12/review/document_view

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2003/feature.htm

 

[dela]

Have you looked at Ushio? I believe they pioneered the 10,000K and 20,000K lamps based on underwater spectral distributions.

 

[spongebobby]

I had 14k and switched to 10k Ushio. It took a while to acclimate everything but the colors of these bulbs are very nice. A nice crisp white and growth is far better. I have an acro that has grown at least an inch in length since going to these bulbs.It hadn't grown that much for the 5 months is was under the 14k. HTH