Best MH Bulbs?

[billaweed]

I was thinking of getting the 14,000k Blue Life (SPS) bulbs. I have read some good reviews of them and they seem to be at a good price ($59.00). But I also heard that the XM bulbs are pretty popular too, but i got better review with the Blue Life SPS's. Any suggestions?

175w

 

[Krish]

I've used the 14k Hamiltons and liked them. Heard others say the same as well

 

[mfinn]

I am a Hamilton 14K fan myself.
You've seen the color in my tanks.
If you are going for a bulb for SPS, I would avoid the XM's.

 

[aquarookie]

I have three 175's over my tank. Two are XM's, and one is the Blue Life SPS. They are all supposed to be 10k. The XM's are more yellow, and the SPS is blue (almost like my Hamilton 14k). The SPS bulb is very pretty but it does make a noise on my PFO magnetic ballast. You can always stop by and check them out to see if you can deal with the bulb's whistling (if it will even whistle with your ballast).

 

[Jaybo]

okay..

Alright.. I'll toss in my .02 cents.

You've opened a can of worms that cant be shut. There is no "best" MH. sorry.. true story. Ask anyone. Your outta luck. (All metal halides suck:lol VHO is the way GO!

Seriously.. I have no idea. Good luck!

 

[sgwill122]

I am running the RF 10K, they are nice but I miss the color of my 14K hamilton which I will return to when it's time to change the bulbs.

 

[Ricardo Mancera]

just go for the PHOENIX bulb.

 

[roscoe]

I have a reeflux DE 12k and I like it, but I want something more blue

 

[treehugger]

I love the color of the hamilton and ushio 14ks...

 

[MC Lighting]

the 14k hamiltons are a bit blue for my liking at least in my tank but thats on a hamilton magnetic hqi ballast...

 

[aznep]

Helios 20k

 

[billaweed]

I think I'm going to go with the 14,000k Blue Life's. Sounds Like Hamiltons are the bulb of choice, but they're a little spendy for me right this minute. I dont want to go any bluer than that I think.

Thanks for the input all

 

[spongebob lover]

15k Iwasaki here .
i used to do the 14k and i like the color BUT to me now i like more the 15k, more clear.. not so much blue.
I think it also has better PAR for sps, but i'm not sure about that

 

[Dr. Dee]

The XM's are good