help me out plz. I'm goin' nutz

[danieljames]

I have been running two 65watt 03 pc's and one 65 10k over a 26 bow. I just got two 150watt hqi's. I have tried three 20k bulbs now (azoo). I have not had good luck with any of them. One was real yellow (company replaced), one is now pink, and one is pretty blue but is giving a very washed out appearance. I am going to change bulbs. I have been reading threads all day...i've searched my bumm off. It seems that hamilton 14k's are very popular. I am going for a very actinic look. I like the blue. Seems my choices are:
Coralview 20k
Hamilton 14k
radium
ushio
ab 20k
xm20k
I know there are so many opinions out there. This is going to be a mixed reef...predominently sps (digi, hydno, etc. Not to many acro's). What bulb would you suggest for a 26 bow with two 150 watt hqi's? I will be adding no supplemental actinic. Help me out people....

Doesn't look like i can get the hamilton 14k in a 150 de. That narrows the choices a bit.

 

[Ritsuko Nashida]

Not sure if they will work on your fixture but the Hamilton 14K's are my first choice in your situation if its available. I have a 250 watt dual light fixture that I am running 20K's on and its pretty nice for a second choice, again if thats an option on your set up.

 

[danieljames]

I don't believe hamilton has their 14k's in the 150 watt de. I looked on their site. I did not see them. Have you seen them available anywhere sir? thanks for your reply

 

[PrimalScream]

I think I would lean towards the XM 20K if they are making them yet...

 

[Ritsuko Nashida]

Your right, they dont make one. When you listed the bulb brands I assumed that you too were like me and running SE bulbs on a HQI ballast and not DE. So my bad, I shouldnt have assumed.

Now that I am on the same page...I would go with the 20K XM or if you "have longer arms and deeper pockets" the 20K AB would be great too. Hello Lights has both of these on their website.

Ms. R. Nashida

 

[danieljames]

thank you Ms. Nashida

 

[Maxx]

I'd go w/ the AB 20K personally, if the hamiltons dont come in a 150 W....
JMO,
Nick

 

[Elmo18]

I'd pick the 250 watt 20k XM bulb.

- Elmo

 

[Maxx]

Looking at Hellolights website...
I saw that the XM 20Ks are available in 150W HQI as are the radiums and the ab 20Ks....(I know this was stated previosuly in the thread, but I hadnt had any coffee when I first replied, so I was paying as much attention as I should have....sigh, thats my story and I'm sticking to it!)
That being said I base my initial vote towards the AB's on the 250 watt mogul based lamp and ballast PAR testing that JBNY did over at RC....
I know that this comparing apples to oranges since the 250 watt bulbs are different, and single ended, but I think it gives you a good guideline to follow. Keeping in mind that the bulbs w/ the highest PAR might not be the same winners in a different wattage bulb....
The neat thing about his website is that he posts pics of his tank w/ all the different bulb combos on it...so you can see what you want to buy and determine if it looks right to you....
Having said all of that, the AB 20K wasnt tested so numbers arent available for it, nor is a picture, but I have heard good things about it....
I have also heard good things about radium 20K bulbs as well...the only gripe I've heard about the the radiums is that the mogul ended bulbs need to be replaced fairly regularly.... you shouldnt have the same issue w/ DE radiums...just a thought,
Nick

 

[danieljames]

thanks much for the replies. I wasn't worried about par value because i will have 300 watts of de over a 26 bow. i went with the 20k ushio's. Everthing is coloring up incredibly. I have a digi that has gone bright purple skinned. I mean bright. zoa's are more colorful than ever before. I'm very happy.

 

[Ritsuko Nashida]

Good to hear! Give us a pic so we have something to base this on the next time someone ask about this, if you could?