So you switched back to Metal Hilides

spsfle · 05/11/2015, 11:16 AM

Or maybe you were never drawn in by the newer tech LEDs. My question to you is, what bulb give the greatest growth rate and has the most crisp white color?
I have researched the XM 10K and the Aqua connect 14 K and yes I'm supplementing with T5s. I was considering Radiums 400w, but don't really know if this will be too blue and will I be sacrificing growth. Just looking for some guidance. Thanks

Jeremy B. · 05/11/2015, 11:43 AM

How much T5 supplementation will you have, and which wattage MH's are you going with?

James12345 · 05/11/2015, 11:54 AM

Switched back and got HOT :P

spsfle · 05/11/2015, 12:06 PM

Four 80w coral +, Fuji purple or something similar. I want good growth, but trying to avoid that yellowish tint

spsfle · 05/11/2015, 12:07 PM

Oh and 400w on the MH

Jeremy B. · 05/11/2015, 12:37 PM

Iwasaki and XM would be hands down the best growth, but they'll be yellow - especially at 400w. I would suggest an Ushio 14k if you're wanting to keep cost down just a little, if not and you can find them then go with the Aquaconnect 14k. I run the AquaConnect 400w's by themselves on this tank and color is pretty good:

BigCountry74 · 05/11/2015, 12:41 PM

phoenix 14k work really well for me. but im only at 150w. i am not sure you can get them at 400. only 150 and 250 (and 250 is pretty hard to find atm)

spsfle · 05/11/2015, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy B.

Iwasaki and XM would be hands down the best growth, but they'll be yellow - especially at 400w. I would suggest an Ushio 14k if you're wanting to keep cost down just a little, if not and you can find them then go with the Aquaconnect 14k. I run the AquaConnect 400w's by themselves on this tank and color is pretty good:

Thanks for the pic that color looks great. Where did you purchase the Aqua. Connect?

moondoggy4 · 05/11/2015, 09:16 PM

^^^^ I will take a stab Premium Aquatics LOL Nice tank Jeremy which MH fixture is that?

Member No. 1 · 05/12/2015, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moondoggy4

^^^^ I will take a stab Premium Aquatics LOL Nice tank Jeremy which MH fixture is that?

Yes please more details on the fixture! Thanks!

Jeremy B. · 05/12/2015, 05:26 AM

I brought those lamps in when I was still working at Premium Aquatics. They have since been discontinued since I left there almost a year ago. I looked around last night and didn't see anyone carrying them now. I will contact AC and see if I can get them in if people are interested. I think the biggest thing with bringing them in last time was the fact that they're so expensive, around $139 retail on the 400w, and $119 retail on the 250w.

That fixture is the ReefBrite Halide Hybrid 36" without the LED's running on the sides of it. I wanted to run the fixture for a 6-9 months without LED's and see how it goes before I put them on it.

spsfle · 05/12/2015, 07:01 AM

$139 for the 400w ouch! would the performance and asthetics of this bulb justitfy the difference in price compared to the XM 10K, probably only my eyes only can answer that question, but whats your opinion?

Jeremy B. · 05/12/2015, 08:09 AM

Yeah, that's really for your eyes to decide. I can tell you that the Aquaconnect will show the same colors in the corals as what Radiums do, but with an overall tank appearance that is much more white.

Maskpainter67 · 05/12/2015, 08:37 AM

I have always. Been a fan of the radiums in the 250 watt

Bpb · 05/12/2015, 09:39 AM

I think the old age sayings of "radiums are only good for color, if you want growth go with xm10k or iwasakis" can be tossed at this point. There are too many examples of people filling their tanks in no time flat with growth by radiums. They're just fairly blue. I've considered switching to the aquaconnect 14k bulbs myself because they're a touch whiter, and also matched well with an m80 ballast. I worry about constantly changing light though. Last time I did that, bad things happened.

spsfle · 05/14/2015, 09:21 PM

this buld is a unicorn. Well almost: needed three could only find 2 at PA. the last and there will be no more. well back to the drawing board. I may be going with radiums. anymore suggestions, looking for crisp white with a hint of blue

05/11/2015, 11:16 AM	#1
spsfle Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: memphis Tn Posts: 32	So you switched back to Metal Hilides Or maybe you were never drawn in by the newer tech LEDs. My question to you is, what bulb give the greatest growth rate and has the most crisp white color? I have researched the XM 10K and the Aqua connect 14 K and yes I'm supplementing with T5s. I was considering Radiums 400w, but don't really know if this will be too blue and will I be sacrificing growth. Just looking for some guidance. Thanks

05/11/2015, 12:41 PM	#7
BigCountry74 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,761	phoenix 14k work really well for me. but im only at 150w. i am not sure you can get them at 400. only 150 and 250 (and 250 is pretty hard to find atm) __________________ 135g mixed reef (retired) http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2132815 Current 40g reef http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2483250 Current Tank Info: 40g bare bottom reef

05/14/2015, 09:21 PM	#16
spsfle Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: memphis Tn Posts: 32	Aqua connect 14K this buld is a unicorn. Well almost: needed three could only find 2 at PA. the last and there will be no more. well back to the drawing board. I may be going with radiums. anymore suggestions, looking for crisp white with a hint of blue

05/11/2015, 11:43 AM	#2
Jeremy B. Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Indianapolis, IN / Muncie, IN Posts: 8,219	How much T5 supplementation will you have, and which wattage MH's are you going with?

05/11/2015, 11:54 AM	#3
James12345 Moved On Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 6	Switched back and got HOT :P

05/11/2015, 12:06 PM	#4
spsfle Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: memphis Tn Posts: 32	Four 80w coral +, Fuji purple or something similar. I want good growth, but trying to avoid that yellowish tint

05/11/2015, 12:07 PM	#5
spsfle Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: memphis Tn Posts: 32	Oh and 400w on the MH

05/11/2015, 12:37 PM	#6
Jeremy B. Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Indianapolis, IN / Muncie, IN Posts: 8,219	Iwasaki and XM would be hands down the best growth, but they'll be yellow - especially at 400w. I would suggest an Ushio 14k if you're wanting to keep cost down just a little, if not and you can find them then go with the Aquaconnect 14k. I run the AquaConnect 400w's by themselves on this tank and color is pretty good:

05/11/2015, 09:16 PM	#9
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	^^^^ I will take a stab Premium Aquatics LOL Nice tank Jeremy which MH fixture is that?

05/12/2015, 05:26 AM	#11
Jeremy B. Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Indianapolis, IN / Muncie, IN Posts: 8,219	I brought those lamps in when I was still working at Premium Aquatics. They have since been discontinued since I left there almost a year ago. I looked around last night and didn't see anyone carrying them now. I will contact AC and see if I can get them in if people are interested. I think the biggest thing with bringing them in last time was the fact that they're so expensive, around $139 retail on the 400w, and $119 retail on the 250w. That fixture is the ReefBrite Halide Hybrid 36" without the LED's running on the sides of it. I wanted to run the fixture for a 6-9 months without LED's and see how it goes before I put them on it.

05/12/2015, 07:01 AM	#12
spsfle Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: memphis Tn Posts: 32	$139 for the 400w ouch! would the performance and asthetics of this bulb justitfy the difference in price compared to the XM 10K, probably only my eyes only can answer that question, but whats your opinion?

05/12/2015, 08:09 AM	#13
Jeremy B. Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Indianapolis, IN / Muncie, IN Posts: 8,219	Yeah, that's really for your eyes to decide. I can tell you that the Aquaconnect will show the same colors in the corals as what Radiums do, but with an overall tank appearance that is much more white.

05/12/2015, 08:37 AM	#14
Maskpainter67 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 57	I have always. Been a fan of the radiums in the 250 watt

05/12/2015, 09:39 AM	#15
Bpb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 3,148	I think the old age sayings of "radiums are only good for color, if you want growth go with xm10k or iwasakis" can be tossed at this point. There are too many examples of people filling their tanks in no time flat with growth by radiums. They're just fairly blue. I've considered switching to the aquaconnect 14k bulbs myself because they're a touch whiter, and also matched well with an m80 ballast. I worry about constantly changing light though. Last time I did that, bad things happened.