Time to change MH SE bulbs, Hamilton 14ks or Reeflux 12ks

mg426 · 01/10/2008, 02:02 PM

I am running hamiltons now and I do like the look. Would be interested in hearing anyones opinion, as to which of these bulbs is the best balance as far as color vs growth.

reefsafe · 01/10/2008, 02:24 PM

I am a huge fan of my reeflux 12ks

lilred1995vette · 01/10/2008, 03:19 PM

I am wondering same thing, does any one have a pic of a tank with 250w 12k reeflux and how is the par compared to other 12-14k bulbs?

Briankook · 01/10/2008, 03:21 PM

Do they make reeflux 12 k's in a single ended, 400W bulb?

jy544 · 01/10/2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Briankook
Do they make reeflux 12 k's in a single ended, 400W bulb?

Yes they do

jpluttme · 01/10/2008, 04:08 PM

I've been satisfied with the Reeflux 12k. Ran the Hamilton 14k, and it's a nice bulb also but I prefer the reeflux.

kdblove_99 · 01/10/2008, 04:23 PM

Hamilton 14K.
In my opinion without supplements the reeflux looks awful and is not very bright

mg426 · 01/10/2008, 05:44 PM

Thanks for all of the replys, I am still checking the whole situation out.

oct2274 · 01/10/2008, 08:04 PM

Radiums are better then both of those bulbs and will have more output then the reeflux 12k's which are fairly poor in output. The lifespan of radium bulbs is questionable, especially in the 400 watt SE version which typically is only good for 6 months or so.

CookieJar · 01/10/2008, 08:13 PM

the XM 10K produce a *sic* amount of PAR, but it's a clean white look.

jpluttme · 01/10/2008, 08:15 PM

Should specify that the bulbs I ran were 250w. Wasn't too impressed with the 250w radium and actually sold it to get the Reeflux 12k.

woz9683 · 01/10/2008, 08:39 PM

jpluttme (or anyone else for that matter), on what kind of ballast do you run your 12k reeflux? Do you supplement? How would you describe the color without supplementation?

oct2274, I've heard some of the lifespan issues with the Radium are due to the bulbs not being run at spec wattage. I think I'm going to pick up at least one and try it out on a new icecap ballast. For the 250s, Radium's actual spec is 270w and the new icecap ballast is spec'd at 265w, maybe this will help the lifespan. It will definitely run the bulb closer to spec than a regular electronic ballast or a true HQI.

I was actually thinking one Reeflux 12k and one Radium just so I can get good head-to-head comparisons of the two.

BangkokMatt · 01/10/2008, 09:19 PM

I am pleased with the Reeflux 12k. It is quite blue so you do need to like that look.

frags75 · 01/10/2008, 10:04 PM

I like the look of the reeflux 12k 250. It was on the blue side when first fired up but has burned in nicely to a crisp blueish white. The only thing is that I am not convinced of the par or growth rates yet. I am thinking of switching to the xm10k.

kdblove_99 · 01/10/2008, 11:04 PM

I do agree Radiums are very nice and what i use in 250W

Jetdrvr · 01/10/2008, 11:38 PM

I switched from Hamilton 14ks to the Reeflux and I love it. My SPS has really colored up with them too. You have to run them on E-ballasts though or they don't push the best color.
Look on tank of the month at Acroporanuts tank. He is running the 12ks with no supplements, he has 400w but the 250s look the same.

oct2274 · 01/11/2008, 12:10 AM

he was running a mix of 10k and 12k reeflux's and yes. it did look really nice

grigsy · 01/11/2008, 11:07 AM

I like the Hamilton 14K bulb. Really nice color.

gregorfd · 01/11/2008, 11:33 AM

Hamilton 14k has nice color in my tank.

01/10/2008, 02:02 PM	#1
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	Time to change MH SE bulbs, Hamilton 14ks or Reeflux 12ks I am running hamiltons now and I do like the look. Would be interested in hearing anyones opinion, as to which of these bulbs is the best balance as far as color vs growth. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

01/10/2008, 02:24 PM	#2
reefsafe Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Arvada, CO Posts: 2,332	I am a huge fan of my reeflux 12ks __________________ Is there such thing as a big enough tank? Tank build: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1969509 Current Tank Info: 360 Gallon AGE tank, Radion lighting, mp60 pumps and lots of equipment

01/10/2008, 03:21 PM	#4
Briankook Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Reading,PA Posts: 744	Do they make reeflux 12 k's in a single ended, 400W bulb? __________________ Brian Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon BB in wall..., 250 lbs.LR, 65 gallon fuge, 3,400W 10K XM Halides, 4, 160W VHO's on pulleys, Deltec 902 skimmer w/ozone, MAXCAP RODI autotopoff, 3 Tunzes & 1 Vortech

01/10/2008, 04:08 PM	#6
jpluttme Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 288	I've been satisfied with the Reeflux 12k. Ran the Hamilton 14k, and it's a nice bulb also but I prefer the reeflux. __________________ 22g Cadlights, Aquamaxx HOB-1, EcoBak, MP20, Modified Cadlights t-5 HO with ATI reflectors. Current Tank Info: 22g Cadlights

01/10/2008, 05:44 PM	#8
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	Thanks for all of the replys, I am still checking the whole situation out. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

01/10/2008, 03:19 PM	#3
lilred1995vette Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston/Kingwood Tx Posts: 66	I am wondering same thing, does any one have a pic of a tank with 250w 12k reeflux and how is the par compared to other 12-14k bulbs?

01/10/2008, 04:23 PM	#7
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	Hamilton 14K. In my opinion without supplements the reeflux looks awful and is not very bright

01/10/2008, 08:04 PM	#9
oct2274 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 2,347	Radiums are better then both of those bulbs and will have more output then the reeflux 12k's which are fairly poor in output. The lifespan of radium bulbs is questionable, especially in the 400 watt SE version which typically is only good for 6 months or so. Last edited by oct2274; 01/10/2008 at 08:13 PM.

01/10/2008, 08:13 PM	#10
CookieJar Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mountain View, CA Posts: 545	the XM 10K produce a sic amount of PAR, but it's a clean white look.

01/10/2008, 08:15 PM	#11
jpluttme Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 288	Should specify that the bulbs I ran were 250w. Wasn't too impressed with the 250w radium and actually sold it to get the Reeflux 12k.

01/10/2008, 08:39 PM	#12
woz9683 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Jackson, MS Posts: 1,029	jpluttme (or anyone else for that matter), on what kind of ballast do you run your 12k reeflux? Do you supplement? How would you describe the color without supplementation? oct2274, I've heard some of the lifespan issues with the Radium are due to the bulbs not being run at spec wattage. I think I'm going to pick up at least one and try it out on a new icecap ballast. For the 250s, Radium's actual spec is 270w and the new icecap ballast is spec'd at 265w, maybe this will help the lifespan. It will definitely run the bulb closer to spec than a regular electronic ballast or a true HQI. I was actually thinking one Reeflux 12k and one Radium just so I can get good head-to-head comparisons of the two. __________________ Michael Current Tank Info: 195G (125G Display, 70G Sump)

01/10/2008, 09:19 PM	#13
BangkokMatt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Krung Thep Posts: 3,100	I am pleased with the Reeflux 12k. It is quite blue so you do need to like that look. __________________ I've spent a lot of money on booze, women and fish. The rest I just squandered. Current Tank Info: 150g sps Reef (now FOWLR after a devastating crash due to chiller) , 2x400w MH (Icecap ballast, Lumenmax 2, Reeflux 12k SE), Deltec AP701, Grotech Tec III, Chiller, 2 x Tunze 6101, 1 x 6205 (+ m/c), bla bla

01/10/2008, 10:04 PM	#14
frags75 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Suburbia Posts: 275	I like the look of the reeflux 12k 250. It was on the blue side when first fired up but has burned in nicely to a crisp blueish white. The only thing is that I am not convinced of the par or growth rates yet. I am thinking of switching to the xm10k.

01/10/2008, 11:04 PM	#15
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	I do agree Radiums are very nice and what i use in 250W

01/10/2008, 11:38 PM	#16
Jetdrvr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Howland OH Posts: 445	I switched from Hamilton 14ks to the Reeflux and I love it. My SPS has really colored up with them too. You have to run them on E-ballasts though or they don't push the best color. Look on tank of the month at Acroporanuts tank. He is running the 12ks with no supplements, he has 400w but the 250s look the same.

01/11/2008, 12:10 AM	#17
oct2274 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 2,347	he was running a mix of 10k and 12k reeflux's and yes. it did look really nice

01/11/2008, 11:07 AM	#18
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	I like the Hamilton 14K bulb. Really nice color.

01/11/2008, 11:33 AM	#19
gregorfd Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Annandale, VA Posts: 68	Hamilton 14k has nice color in my tank.