what 250w and 400w mh bulbs to use

coryjones · 08/25/2008, 09:29 PM

I like a blue look but don,t want to run atintics i was thinking 14k but not sure what to go with i have 250w and 400w setups for my 30" 220g Does anyone have any pics of there setup and the k and brand possible 20k pics?

Toddrtrex · 08/26/2008, 12:04 AM

Pictures are a little hard to judge, because of the white balance...

But, with that said; Over my 58 I am running 2*250 XM 20Ks ( SE ) and I am very pleased with the color and the growth. I do run actinics, but really only for dusk/dawn, can barely tell that they are on.

A top down shot (( a little whiter in person ))

FTS.
With flash,

Without (( the real color is somewhere b/t these two ))

kdblove_99 · 08/26/2008, 02:13 AM

Radium20K, XM20k, Hammy 14K and Helio 20K. helio is the bluest bulb on the market , Then XM.

I will have a helio to try out in 2 days. The XM was a nice deep blue but kinda Dim to me. Radium is best bulb i have tried so far. Not overly blue though. Even though i have never seen a Radium on Electronic ballast i have only ran it on HQI. SO would definitely be more blue on Electronic

hahnmeister · 08/26/2008, 03:30 AM

If you have HQI ballasts, then the best 250 watt bulbs, IMO, are:

Ushio/BLV/Giesemann 14,000/14,500K (same bulb, different name)... for a 'day' look with loads of actinic.

Pheonix 14,000K (somewhat monochromatic, could use a 6500K for suppliment as well as actinic).

Radium 250wattSE

Aqualine 20,000K if you prefer the blues, or the Ushio 20,000K... both blue, but not 'monochromatic'.

The best 400's:

Ushio/BLV/Giesemann 14,000K/14,500K (same bulb): Monster output, and a spectrum corals love, just like the 250s... just add some blue+ T5s and you have a light that will make the corals look awesome and be pleasing to view.

Aquaconnect 14,000K If there was one bulb that I would run on its own and get great results, it would be this one. Its a monster for output, and more blue and actinic than a Radium... and they last very well.

coryjones · 08/26/2008, 03:11 PM

I have magnatics guess i should have said that.

NealNano · 08/26/2008, 03:58 PM

Hamilton 14ks are very blue I really like these bulbs. If you want a deep ice blue go with the 20ks. I switched from 14ks a year ago and I really liked the 20ks. The growth is a little slower on the 2oks however. I have been using Coralife bulbs by the way.

Dyraxe · 08/29/2008, 04:54 PM

Do you like the Aquaconnect 250w?

Quote:

Originally posted by hahnmeister
If you have HQI ballasts, then the best 250 watt bulbs, IMO, are:

Ushio/BLV/Giesemann 14,000/14,500K (same bulb, different name)... for a 'day' look with loads of actinic.

Pheonix 14,000K (somewhat monochromatic, could use a 6500K for suppliment as well as actinic).

Radium 250wattSE

Aqualine 20,000K if you prefer the blues, or the Ushio 20,000K... both blue, but not 'monochromatic'.

The best 400's:

Ushio/BLV/Giesemann 14,000K/14,500K (same bulb): Monster output, and a spectrum corals love, just like the 250s... just add some blue+ T5s and you have a light that will make the corals look awesome and be pleasing to view.

Aquaconnect 14,000K If there was one bulb that I would run on its own and get great results, it would be this one. Its a monster for output, and more blue and actinic than a Radium... and they last very well.

coryjones · 08/29/2008, 07:40 PM

Never herd of them i ordered a hamilton 14k plus and one New Lumen Bright 3 Single End to see what it looks like and i will go from there.Is anyone using these reflectors?

08/25/2008, 09:29 PM	#1
coryjones Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Decatur Posts: 489	what 250w and 400w mh bulbs to use I like a blue look but don,t want to run atintics i was thinking 14k but not sure what to go with i have 250w and 400w setups for my 30" 220g Does anyone have any pics of there setup and the k and brand possible 20k pics?

08/26/2008, 12:04 AM	#2
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Pictures are a little hard to judge, because of the white balance... But, with that said; Over my 58 I am running 2*250 XM 20Ks ( SE ) and I am very pleased with the color and the growth. I do run actinics, but really only for dusk/dawn, can barely tell that they are on. A top down shot (( a little whiter in person )) FTS. With flash, Without (( the real color is somewhere b/t these two )) __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

08/26/2008, 02:13 AM	#3
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	Radium20K, XM20k, Hammy 14K and Helio 20K. helio is the bluest bulb on the market , Then XM. I will have a helio to try out in 2 days. The XM was a nice deep blue but kinda Dim to me. Radium is best bulb i have tried so far. Not overly blue though. Even though i have never seen a Radium on Electronic ballast i have only ran it on HQI. SO would definitely be more blue on Electronic

08/26/2008, 03:30 AM	#4
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	If you have HQI ballasts, then the best 250 watt bulbs, IMO, are: Ushio/BLV/Giesemann 14,000/14,500K (same bulb, different name)... for a 'day' look with loads of actinic. Pheonix 14,000K (somewhat monochromatic, could use a 6500K for suppliment as well as actinic). Radium 250wattSE Aqualine 20,000K if you prefer the blues, or the Ushio 20,000K... both blue, but not 'monochromatic'. The best 400's: Ushio/BLV/Giesemann 14,000K/14,500K (same bulb): Monster output, and a spectrum corals love, just like the 250s... just add some blue+ T5s and you have a light that will make the corals look awesome and be pleasing to view. Aquaconnect 14,000K If there was one bulb that I would run on its own and get great results, it would be this one. Its a monster for output, and more blue and actinic than a Radium... and they last very well.

08/26/2008, 03:11 PM	#5
coryjones Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Decatur Posts: 489	I have magnatics guess i should have said that.

08/26/2008, 03:58 PM	#6
NealNano Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilbert, Az Posts: 764	Hamilton 14ks are very blue I really like these bulbs. If you want a deep ice blue go with the 20ks. I switched from 14ks a year ago and I really liked the 20ks. The growth is a little slower on the 2oks however. I have been using Coralife bulbs by the way.

08/29/2008, 07:40 PM	#8
coryjones Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Decatur Posts: 489	Never herd of them i ordered a hamilton 14k plus and one New Lumen Bright 3 Single End to see what it looks like and i will go from there.Is anyone using these reflectors?