Time for new bulbs

[Clownguy]

Well it is that time of the year again to change out my bulbs. I am currently running 2 250watt 20K Radiums SE on a PFO HQI ballast. I love the blueness, bu the growth can be slow. I am thinking of trying something new, but I am not sure. I tried a 10K ushio last year and it was to yellow. It may be because I have run the 20Ks for so many years. I am also worried about changing colors of all my sps. Any suggestions and info is much appreciated, thanks in advance.

Chris

 

[Maxx]

Ive heard good things about the hamilton 14k's and the new aquaconnect bulbs if you really like the more blue look.
Here is JBNY's website. He tested alot of 250 watt SE bulbs and combined them with different ballasts to get PAR readings from all combinations. To make things even better, he took pics of all the bulbs, (both with and without actinic supplementation) so you can see what they look like.
www.cnidarianreef.com
You'll have to click on the 250 watt bulb testing link on the right side of the page, under the photo of his tank.

Here is a link to a guy who took all of JBNY's pics, and did some web page magic and set things up so that you can see different bulbs side by side for comparison. It takes a few seconds to load, but its worth it.
http://metricksystem.com/chris/250wcolour/

Finally, Here is Sanjay Joshi's webpage detailing his work on MH's lights....its probably more information than you'll ever want to know about MH lights.
http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/

HTH,
Nick

 

[Clownguy]

Thanks for the info, has anyone heard anything about the 20 K XM growth wise.

 

[Shoreliner11]

I have the 20k de xm and I love the color. I'm not sure how the color compares in the single ended bulb but if its close I think you'll love it. Growth is notibly less than 10k's but thats to be expected. I still get about a 3rd of an inch of growth a month of my stylophora. All in all the I like the color better than large growth rates.
I've also seen some Venture 10k bulbs which are quite close to a 12k or something similar. Very crisp white light with a hint of blue.

 

[bc_slc]

you know, it sounds like you want something a bit more like the 10k growth, with the look of a 20k. How bout something inbetween like the coralvue 15k, hamilton 14k or PFO 13k. I think the coralvues are pretty nice, though it is tough to say without seeing them side by side.

 

[dgasmd]

Chris:

I have a different type of advise for you. Why not just get better reflectors that increase what you actually are getting out of your radiums? Get some lumenarc reflectors and continue to use the bulb you already love. You will get much more out of it and it is an investment that will not touch your electrical consumption while increasing the intensity of your lighting. You can get them from:
www.pacificgardensupply.com

 

[bc_slc]

the only problem there is given the size and shape of your tank if you reflect the light better, you may end up with increased intensity in some areas with loss of coverage on the edges. Just something to consider.

 

[MtnDewMan]

I recently switched to Hamilton 14000k bulbs and have been very happy with them

 

[bradreef]

The pfo 13k's have almost no power. Pheonix is supposed to have a 14k se coming out soon. the DE is supposed to be good and cheap.

 

[Clownguy]

Thanks for the advice guys I ordered the 14K Hamiltons. It will be interesting to see the difference between them and me being use to the Radiums.

Thanks again,
Chris

 

[mattseattle]

well keep us posted on how you like them. it will soon be time for me to replace my bulbs.

 

[MtnDewMan]

Chris

Let me know what you think of them. I am really liking mine.

 

[big t]

Got any pix chuck? It is time for me to order some bulbs.