Best MH Bulb

[Fijikid]

Hello,

I am due to replace my MH 250 bulb on my 55 gallon and I am curious to see what brand and type (10,000, 15,000 or 20,000) of bulb I should replace with.

Thank you ALL!!

 

[LakeEd]

Fijikid,

The color temp of the light is a personal choice. Some enjoy the whiter colors... some favor the bluer. If you would like to see something that will give you a side-by-side comparison of various bulbs... try out this website:

http://metricksystem.com/chris/250wcolour/

Hope this helps some with your choice!

 

[Scooterman]

I prefer the 10k range & supplementing with fluorescents for color, this way you get the best of both worlds, PAR & COLOR! USHIO & XP produce outstanding performance, Iwaski's preform best but even with supplementation they still have lots of yellowish to them! JMO take it for a grain please!

 

[Elmo18]

I think Scooterman meant USHIO and XM up above, unless I am mistaken.

Best,
Ilham

 

[Scooterman]

LOL Na man XP as in windows LOL!
Yea I reversed that! Thanks Ilham!

 

[Detri]

Is it mogal or double ended?

 

[loohunter]

i really like my 10k reeflux looks more blue like a 12kor 14k but decent par. my monti is growing like crazy under it

 

[Fijikid]

I am using a Mogul base and like my tank to be bright. Also forgot to mention that I am using 2-48" fluorescents in the tank besides the MH. With the comments and links about it looks like the Ushio 250-10000 may be what I am looking for.

Any feedback?

 

[rudeanduncouth]

I personally don't like the colors of Ushio bulbs. There 10000k seem to yellow to me. I prefer Coralvue Reeflux bulbs.

Also check out

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

Similar link to what LakeEd posted except with the PAR values for the bulbs as well

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

Has graph comparison of the color spectrums of the different bulbs (Not firefox friendly)

 

[Rod Buehler]

Another reeflux vote here.. Ive used them all and like the reeflux the best. Good PAR without have to sacrifice to color.

 

[Scooterman]

XM's to me produce a better looking color than the USHIO also but when you wash them out with supplements it is better, I'd shoot for a PAR of around 500 & then whatever color.

 

[Krish]

I use 20K XM's and love the color they have burned into. At first they were too blue, but now they are just right for my liking

 

[bc_slc]

You guys are so polar. 10k or 20k, what about 14k phoenix bulbs, or 15k XMs. I personally started with 10k, then 13k, now 15k and I think I still want to go bluer even with actinics. I have found over the years that I would rather have bright, brilliant, amazingly colored corals with a generally pleasant coloring of the tank than faster growth.

Mat

 

[rudeanduncouth]

Personally the colors produced by 20000k look fake. It just has this blue color that doesn't quite look right to me.

 

[gbr]

Ed hit the nail on the head. Personal preference. In the past year I have gone from XM10K to 20K back to 10K, then to 15K back to 10K and now I am trying Hamilton 14K bulbs. XM 10K bulbs are a VERY bright crisp white. Some say a little yellow. I believe a lot of that is dependant on what is in the tank. My sebae and xenias look a little more yellow but they are yellowish anyway. Anything above 10K and you start to lose PAR very quickly. A 20K XM bulb has ~1/2 the PAR of a 10K bulb. If you want bright...XM10K or reportedly Reeflux 10K. Both are priced right as well.


What bulb are you currently using? I have several old XM10Ks you could borrow to check out the color.

 

[JasonD]

Reeflux makes a 10k and 12k. I haven't seen any numbers on the 12k. It suppose to perform similar to the 10k, but have a slightly bluer tint. Any word?

 

[Elmo18]

Currently...and will continue to use XM10ks for anemone tanks.

I have yet to try ReefLux, but other anemone tanks seem to do well under them.

I prefer SE versions of bulbs.

As far as XM15ks, it's been the worst flop bulb i've ever tried.

Best,
Ilham

 

[bc_slc]

if you follow the thread over at RC on the Reeflux bulbs, they seem to have some quality issues. Lots of bulbs starting or turning pink.

Mat

 

[Boomer]

Me too on the XM- 10K

 

[Detri]

My favorite are Fauna Marin 12 500k or the Pheonix 14k bulbs. I like a little blue