best 20k

mark54321 · 07/18/2009, 09:28 AM

Hi, what is the best 250W DE MH 20K for color and growth for corals? I am using phoenix 14k but don't like the color to much.

Climb16 · 07/18/2009, 12:26 PM

My favorite is the Reeflux 20k good color and high PAR

luvreefs23 · 07/18/2009, 02:25 PM

alot like radiums

steelersfan · 07/18/2009, 03:44 PM

I use the 250W Aqualine AB DE 20k bulbs. If Radium made DE bulbs for the 250W, that would be my first choice.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...=&child=MB6863

Ti · 07/18/2009, 03:49 PM

xm 20k

amore169 · 07/18/2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by steelersfan
I use the 250W Aqualine AB DE 20k bulbs. If Radium made DE bulbs for the 250W, that would be my first choice.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...=&child=MB6863

I also use this bulbs they were a little bit more expensive but I really like the color.

mark54321 · 07/18/2009, 07:41 PM

thanks,i like radium too but for now have to stick with DE MH thanks for your suggestions, seems like everybody likes something different, I was thinking XM20 or might try AQUALINE bulbs

Nerdy Nudi · 07/18/2009, 09:33 PM

can you describe what you want out of a 20k bulb?

the color blue? some blue and good par? actinic pop? violet hue? good cri?

amore169 · 07/19/2009, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mark54321
thanks,i like radium too but for now have to stick with DE MH thanks for your suggestions, seems like everybody likes something different, I was thinking XM20 or might try AQUALINE bulbs

Hellolights has the best price on them that I found, I think I paid $189 for 2.

DarG · 07/19/2009, 07:27 AM

If considering the AB 20K you may want to consider the Ushio (BLV) 20K ...

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighti...&Submit=Submit

IndyReefMan · 07/19/2009, 02:30 PM

I concur with DarG. I've tried a lot of different 20K bulbs and have settled on the Ushio 20K. AB 20K is nice too, and similar to the Ushio, but it is also quite a bit more money.

popeye20 · 07/19/2009, 04:14 PM

I am running Ushio 20k's right now and am getting fair growth out of them from what I can tell. The tank has only been up for a couple of months right now, but some acro frags that I have are showing around 1/2" of new branch growth and my monti's seem to be happy and growing at aprox the same rate.

GSMguy · 07/19/2009, 05:12 PM

Ushio IMO

DarG · 07/20/2009, 06:40 AM

I cant see a difference between the AB 20K and Ushio 20K which makes sense because the tiny spectral differences and 2 ppfd difference in output between the two lamps when Sanjay tested them can easily be accounted for by manufacturing tolerances from lamp to lamp. In other words, I believe they are the same lamp.

SHOmuchFUN · 07/20/2009, 08:40 AM

I'm in the same boat, considering replacing my 250w DE Phoenix 14ks.

They have been great bulbs and I should know better than to replace something that isn't really broken. My coral colorations are pretty pale, so would like to experiment with a 20k to help get them to color up.

GSMguy, how has your experience been with the USHIO's? You've been using them for a few months now.... Seen any improvements over the 14ks?

Gamepro_inc · 07/20/2009, 08:46 AM

Hey does anyone have pics of their tank with an XM 20K bulb I have a 400 W MH and was thinking about this bulb, also what do corals prefer.

07/18/2009, 09:28 AM	#1
mark54321 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: chicago Posts: 2,040	best 20k Hi, what is the best 250W DE MH 20K for color and growth for corals? I am using phoenix 14k but don't like the color to much.

07/18/2009, 03:44 PM	#4
steelersfan Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Juan Capistrano, Ca Posts: 796	I use the 250W Aqualine AB DE 20k bulbs. If Radium made DE bulbs for the 250W, that would be my first choice. http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...=&child=MB6863 __________________ Reza Current Tank Info: Elos 160XL with Custom Steel Stand

07/18/2009, 03:49 PM	#5
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	xm 20k __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.

07/18/2009, 07:41 PM	#7
mark54321 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: chicago Posts: 2,040	thanks,i like radium too but for now have to stick with DE MH thanks for your suggestions, seems like everybody likes something different, I was thinking XM20 or might try AQUALINE bulbs __________________ ############## ______MARK_______ ##############

07/19/2009, 05:12 PM	#13
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	Ushio IMO __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

07/18/2009, 12:26 PM	#2
Climb16 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 69	My favorite is the Reeflux 20k good color and high PAR

07/18/2009, 02:25 PM	#3
luvreefs23 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 758	alot like radiums

07/18/2009, 09:33 PM	#8
Nerdy Nudi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 473	can you describe what you want out of a 20k bulb? the color blue? some blue and good par? actinic pop? violet hue? good cri?

07/19/2009, 07:27 AM	#10
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	If considering the AB 20K you may want to consider the Ushio (BLV) 20K ... http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighti...&Submit=Submit

07/19/2009, 02:30 PM	#11
IndyReefMan Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 477	I concur with DarG. I've tried a lot of different 20K bulbs and have settled on the Ushio 20K. AB 20K is nice too, and similar to the Ushio, but it is also quite a bit more money.

07/19/2009, 04:14 PM	#12
popeye20 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: las vegas nv. Posts: 41	I am running Ushio 20k's right now and am getting fair growth out of them from what I can tell. The tank has only been up for a couple of months right now, but some acro frags that I have are showing around 1/2" of new branch growth and my monti's seem to be happy and growing at aprox the same rate.

07/20/2009, 06:40 AM	#14
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	I cant see a difference between the AB 20K and Ushio 20K which makes sense because the tiny spectral differences and 2 ppfd difference in output between the two lamps when Sanjay tested them can easily be accounted for by manufacturing tolerances from lamp to lamp. In other words, I believe they are the same lamp.

07/20/2009, 08:40 AM	#15
SHOmuchFUN Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 4,461	I'm in the same boat, considering replacing my 250w DE Phoenix 14ks. They have been great bulbs and I should know better than to replace something that isn't really broken. My coral colorations are pretty pale, so would like to experiment with a 20k to help get them to color up. GSMguy, how has your experience been with the USHIO's? You've been using them for a few months now.... Seen any improvements over the 14ks? __________________ Erik Engstrom President, Vermont Marine Aquarists. Current Tank Info: Custom 180gal, 6x80w ATI T-5s, (2) Tunze 6025, Vortec MP40w, MSX200 w/ red demon, controlled by AcJR.

07/20/2009, 08:46 AM	#16
Gamepro_inc Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 425	20K bulb Hey does anyone have pics of their tank with an XM 20K bulb I have a 400 W MH and was thinking about this bulb, also what do corals prefer. __________________ -Paul Current Tank Info: 65g rimless, and 34g starfire rimless Solana