Hamilton 250 W 14 K

sobe · 04/03/2006, 03:02 PM

Was wondering if anyone has personal experience with using Hamilton 250W 14K halide bulbs? Currently using Ushio bulbs (3 bulbs) as well as 6" VHO (2 Super Actinic & 2 Actinic white) for 180 gallons tank size, but thinking of changing to the Hamilton brand as a curiosity.

I understand the differences b/w 10 K and 14k, but just want to test on the performance and the quality of different brands. Any inputs or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

tbone28 · 04/03/2006, 03:06 PM

Can't help you there. Haven't used Hamilton's.

Off topic: Why did you choose a pig as your avitar?

Gooli · 04/03/2006, 03:09 PM

i feel i am qualified to answer since i did have them on my 90g for about a year.

I went from

1. 14k Hamiltons
2. 14k hamiltons +VHO
3. 10k xm + VHO

I felt that 14k gave great color but the PAR is rather low and it was just too blue - my yellow polyps turned olive green in color. I think it would be great for people who want to do a deep water look or if they had no option for actinic supplemntation.

why dont u try the xm 10k?

Blazer88 · 04/03/2006, 03:16 PM

I have the Hamilton 14K 250W and have been happy with it. Some may think they are too blue, but I really like the color. I also run the MH with VHO actinics. I've tried XM10K's for about a day and took them back, way too yellow for my taste. Here is a pic of my tank so you can see the color. Best of luck!

Ti · 04/03/2006, 03:33 PM

I use them, I like them, unfortunately mine chose to blow after I got them 2 months ago.

Melnick · 04/03/2006, 03:39 PM

I am running a Hamilton 14k 250w with no actinics and I really like the color. But I like blueish (but not too blue) tanks.

You'll have to forgive the lack of anything interesting to look at - I am still in the process of setting up my 30g and all I have is LR right now.

Gooli · 04/03/2006, 03:40 PM

Blazer...love the tank!
By the way, the XM bulbs take 100 hours to burn in - i also had a yellow tint for a week - after that - gorgeous!

Blazer88 · 04/03/2006, 03:54 PM

Thanks for the comments on my tank. I did hear the XM's take a while to break in but it was a horrid yellow color, I just couldn't stand it and had to take it back.

Ti · 04/03/2006, 03:56 PM

I'm running Xm 10K right now, (temp bulb)
I onlly have one question.
Who P33d in my tank?

tbone28 · 04/03/2006, 09:16 PM

Have you tried Venture bulbs?

Ceak · 04/04/2006, 10:21 AM

lol Ti

kirkm · 04/04/2006, 07:36 PM

I have Hamilton 250W 14K HQI bulbs in Sunlight Supply RO III pendants on a dual PFO HQI ballast. The color is primarily white with a hint of blue. Not nearly as blue as the pictures others have submitted.

Kirk

chris2222000 · 04/04/2006, 08:13 PM

I run Hamilton 14ks on an Ice cap electronic ballast and it is not as blue as the above. And as far as par is concerned it depends on what ballast is used. I feel I get great par with my 250 watt elec. ballast.
-Chris

sobe · 04/05/2006, 01:16 PM

Thanks for those who have replied.

04/03/2006, 03:02 PM	#1
sobe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 11	Hamilton 250 W 14 K Was wondering if anyone has personal experience with using Hamilton 250W 14K halide bulbs? Currently using Ushio bulbs (3 bulbs) as well as 6" VHO (2 Super Actinic & 2 Actinic white) for 180 gallons tank size, but thinking of changing to the Hamilton brand as a curiosity. I understand the differences b/w 10 K and 14k, but just want to test on the performance and the quality of different brands. Any inputs or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

04/03/2006, 03:09 PM	#3
Gooli Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Los Angeles Posts: 3,746	i feel i am qualified to answer since i did have them on my 90g for about a year. I went from 1. 14k Hamiltons 2. 14k hamiltons +VHO 3. 10k xm + VHO I felt that 14k gave great color but the PAR is rather low and it was just too blue - my yellow polyps turned olive green in color. I think it would be great for people who want to do a deep water look or if they had no option for actinic supplemntation. why dont u try the xm 10k? __________________ "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. " - Benjamin Franklin Current Tank Info: 180g SPS

04/03/2006, 03:33 PM	#5
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	I use them, I like them, unfortunately mine chose to blow after I got them 2 months ago. __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.

04/03/2006, 03:40 PM	#7
Gooli Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Los Angeles Posts: 3,746	Blazer...love the tank! By the way, the XM bulbs take 100 hours to burn in - i also had a yellow tint for a week - after that - gorgeous! __________________ "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. " - Benjamin Franklin Current Tank Info: 180g SPS

04/03/2006, 03:56 PM	#9
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	I'm running Xm 10K right now, (temp bulb) I onlly have one question. Who P33d in my tank? __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.

04/03/2006, 03:06 PM	#2
tbone28 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 6,503	Can't help you there. Haven't used Hamilton's. Off topic: Why did you choose a pig as your avitar?

04/03/2006, 03:16 PM	#4
Blazer88 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2,415	I have the Hamilton 14K 250W and have been happy with it. Some may think they are too blue, but I really like the color. I also run the MH with VHO actinics. I've tried XM10K's for about a day and took them back, way too yellow for my taste. Here is a pic of my tank so you can see the color. Best of luck!

04/03/2006, 03:39 PM	#6
Melnick Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NC Posts: 68	I am running a Hamilton 14k 250w with no actinics and I really like the color. But I like blueish (but not too blue) tanks. You'll have to forgive the lack of anything interesting to look at - I am still in the process of setting up my 30g and all I have is LR right now.

04/03/2006, 03:54 PM	#8
Blazer88 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2,415	Thanks for the comments on my tank. I did hear the XM's take a while to break in but it was a horrid yellow color, I just couldn't stand it and had to take it back.

04/03/2006, 09:16 PM	#10
tbone28 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 6,503	Have you tried Venture bulbs?

04/04/2006, 10:21 AM	#11
Ceak Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 317	lol Ti

04/04/2006, 07:36 PM	#12
kirkm Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 8	I have Hamilton 250W 14K HQI bulbs in Sunlight Supply RO III pendants on a dual PFO HQI ballast. The color is primarily white with a hint of blue. Not nearly as blue as the pictures others have submitted. Kirk

04/04/2006, 08:13 PM	#13
chris2222000 Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Gonzales (b/t New Orleans and Baton Rouge), Louisiana Posts: 334	I run Hamilton 14ks on an Ice cap electronic ballast and it is not as blue as the above. And as far as par is concerned it depends on what ballast is used. I feel I get great par with my 250 watt elec. ballast. -Chris __________________ "Laissez Le Bon Temps Rouler!" Current Tank Info: 125 Acrylic

04/05/2006, 01:16 PM	#14
sobe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 11	Thanks for those who have replied.