What bulbs do you suggest ?

saltyfishy123 · 04/19/2008, 03:34 PM

Hello all,

Im planning on ordering new light setup tomorrow, will be getting the Sunlight Supply Galaxy Dual 250W Electronic Ballast, now i just was wondering are there any bulbs that could be recommended, I will be buy SE so that singles it out, just and specific brand that you have had good experiences with?

Thanks in advance,
Patrik

cashman95 · 04/19/2008, 08:15 PM

what color do you like? What corals are you keeping? That wil make a difference as well.

just dave · 04/19/2008, 08:39 PM

You might consider an electronic 175w ballast and run the Iwasaki 15k bulbs since you are looking at an electronic ballast and the SE format. The Iwasakis compare favorably in output with SE 250w bulbs in he SE style with an electronic ballast. They actually exceed many of the 250s in output. You would also get the advantage of less heat and less power consumption.

saltyfishy123 · 04/19/2008, 08:52 PM

For color i would like a white/blueish color, any one use 250 Watt 14000K Metal Halide Bulb - Hamilton?

Mariner · 04/19/2008, 09:10 PM

Yes, I've used the 14k 250w SE Hamilton. Very nice color, and Hamilton has a good reputation. I've had one over my 40g on two different occasions. The last one only lasted about 8 months and blew, but that probably had more to do with a cheap ballast than the bulb, not sure.
I've recently gone to a 20k XM. Don't like the color as well, but the corals seem happy.
Mariner

cashman95 · 04/19/2008, 09:13 PM

I have used the Iwasaki's that "just dave" is referring to:

Iwasaki 15k's
[IMG]

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This is a pic of my 250 watt Pheonix 14 k's just for an idea.
[IMG]

[/IMG]

cashman95 · 04/19/2008, 09:14 PM

I have also used 250 watt Radium bulbs....Nice!

reefcolors · 04/21/2008, 04:38 PM

For a white color I like my 10k reeflux. The 12k reeflux does bring out the colors a little better. I use 2 10k reeflux 1 on each end of the tank and a 12k reeflux in the middle on a 6' 150 gal tank

04/19/2008, 03:34 PM	#1
saltyfishy123 WYSIWYG Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,395	What bulbs do you suggest ? Hello all, Im planning on ordering new light setup tomorrow, will be getting the Sunlight Supply Galaxy Dual 250W Electronic Ballast, now i just was wondering are there any bulbs that could be recommended, I will be buy SE so that singles it out, just and specific brand that you have had good experiences with? Thanks in advance, Patrik __________________ 135 Custom Aquarium -2x 250 watt hamilton bulbs 14k -Sunlight supply Dual 250 ballast -Euro-Reef RS-135 -Red Sea 100 Ozonizer -2x Tunze 6060's Current Tank Info: 135 Custom Softie/LPS reef

04/19/2008, 08:15 PM	#2
cashman95 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Greenville, S.C. Posts: 810	what color do you like? What corals are you keeping? That wil make a difference as well. __________________ SPS Tank with sump in the garage, 400watt Radium/Lumatek ballast,ReefKeeper2 controlling it all!! VHO actinics in the works! Current Tank Info: 24x24x20 Rimless Cube

04/19/2008, 08:52 PM	#4
saltyfishy123 WYSIWYG Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,395	For color i would like a white/blueish color, any one use 250 Watt 14000K Metal Halide Bulb - Hamilton? __________________ 135 Custom Aquarium -2x 250 watt hamilton bulbs 14k -Sunlight supply Dual 250 ballast -Euro-Reef RS-135 -Red Sea 100 Ozonizer -2x Tunze 6060's Current Tank Info: 135 Custom Softie/LPS reef

04/19/2008, 09:10 PM	#5
Mariner Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: North Alabama Posts: 3,952	Yes, I've used the 14k 250w SE Hamilton. Very nice color, and Hamilton has a good reputation. I've had one over my 40g on two different occasions. The last one only lasted about 8 months and blew, but that probably had more to do with a cheap ballast than the bulb, not sure. I've recently gone to a 20k XM. Don't like the color as well, but the corals seem happy. Mariner __________________ DESIGN DEMANDS A DESIGNER. ~The perception is that perception is reality, but the reality is that it isn't. Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef; 135g mixed reef

04/19/2008, 09:13 PM	#6
cashman95 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Greenville, S.C. Posts: 810	some pics.... I have used the Iwasaki's that "just dave" is referring to: Iwasaki 15k's [IMG][/IMG] This is a pic of my 250 watt Pheonix 14 k's just for an idea. [IMG][/IMG]

04/19/2008, 08:39 PM	#3
just dave 11th in '11 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Cordova, TN Posts: 4,394	You might consider an electronic 175w ballast and run the Iwasaki 15k bulbs since you are looking at an electronic ballast and the SE format. The Iwasakis compare favorably in output with SE 250w bulbs in he SE style with an electronic ballast. They actually exceed many of the 250s in output. You would also get the advantage of less heat and less power consumption.

04/19/2008, 09:14 PM	#7
cashman95 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Greenville, S.C. Posts: 810	I have also used 250 watt Radium bulbs....Nice! __________________ SPS Tank with sump in the garage, 400watt Radium/Lumatek ballast,ReefKeeper2 controlling it all!! VHO actinics in the works! Current Tank Info: 24x24x20 Rimless Cube

04/21/2008, 04:38 PM	#8
reefcolors Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: PA, US Posts: 93	For a white color I like my 10k reeflux. The 12k reeflux does bring out the colors a little better. I use 2 10k reeflux 1 on each end of the tank and a 12k reeflux in the middle on a 6' 150 gal tank