150W HQI DE Bulb recommendations?

fishnu · 09/17/2008, 12:47 PM

I have a Coralife Aqualight Pro, which I like, running 2x150 10000K Coralife bulbs , but I plan on switching the bulbs later this year and would like to do some research.

I don't have any sps, mostly lps, softies, etc. My tank is a 75G flat back hex about 21 inches deep

I imagine there is a bigger difference between a 150 and a higher wattage bulb than between two different 150 brands or K ratings. However, given that I will NOT be upgrading the unit I am stuck with 150W, and would like to learn more about the performance of different bulb brands and K.

Does anyone know of a source that compares 150 bulbs?

Is K level entirely a visual concern? I know I need light over 10000 but do corals benefit differentially from 10000K or 15000K? I know I will get more blue and less yellow as I go up. Is there any value to the blue that I don't get from my actinics?

TIA

John

NealNano · 09/17/2008, 10:39 PM

I just got the phoenix 150watt 14k bulbs for my aqua light. I heard good this about this bulb and it seems to be all true.

dots · 09/17/2008, 10:47 PM

I havn't looked in a while, but the 14K was the best 150W DE when I was running them.

In the end, bulbs are only a part of it.....flow, water quality AND lighting all play a part, so don't get too hung up in the "Unicorn bulb" game.

Buy what looks good to you, because if you can't stand looking at the tank, what does it matter if they are growing out of the water?

manini333 · 09/17/2008, 11:00 PM

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting

good place to compare many bulbs and ballasts

taylor t · 09/18/2008, 09:11 PM

I have a light meter that measures less than half the "punch" from a 20K (blue) than from a 10K (white) at about 8 inches in the water. The 14K bulbs I have are in the middle (so, so growth). All 150 watt DE. I have the outer orbit, which is similar to yours. There is, in my tanks, a very noticable difference in growth using 10K or 20K. 10K gives much better growth. 20K keeps sps alive, but doesn't grow much. The only brand bulbs I've tried are current brand. I'm about to order either hamiltons or xm in a 10K. I'm looking for more "punch", but I may just change my whole fixture. Not sure yet. HTH.

09/17/2008, 12:47 PM	#1
fishnu Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 439	150W HQI DE Bulb recommendations? I have a Coralife Aqualight Pro, which I like, running 2x150 10000K Coralife bulbs , but I plan on switching the bulbs later this year and would like to do some research. I don't have any sps, mostly lps, softies, etc. My tank is a 75G flat back hex about 21 inches deep I imagine there is a bigger difference between a 150 and a higher wattage bulb than between two different 150 brands or K ratings. However, given that I will NOT be upgrading the unit I am stuck with 150W, and would like to learn more about the performance of different bulb brands and K. Does anyone know of a source that compares 150 bulbs? Is K level entirely a visual concern? I know I need light over 10000 but do corals benefit differentially from 10000K or 15000K? I know I will get more blue and less yellow as I go up. Is there any value to the blue that I don't get from my actinics? TIA John __________________ I'd rather be good slow than bad fast. Current Tank Info: 75G DAS flatback hex rebuilt, stripped stained mahogany and spar varnished; 30G sump, 90 Lb LR, ASMG2, 2X150HQI, 2X96 Actinics, Ocean Runner 6500, Aquacontroller 3

09/17/2008, 10:47 PM	#3
dots Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 6,258	I havn't looked in a while, but the 14K was the best 150W DE when I was running them. In the end, bulbs are only a part of it.....flow, water quality AND lighting all play a part, so don't get too hung up in the "Unicorn bulb" game. Buy what looks good to you, because if you can't stand looking at the tank, what does it matter if they are growing out of the water? __________________ ~Doug

09/17/2008, 10:39 PM	#2
NealNano Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilbert, Az Posts: 764	I just got the phoenix 150watt 14k bulbs for my aqua light. I heard good this about this bulb and it seems to be all true.

09/17/2008, 11:00 PM	#4
manini333 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: pacific Posts: 58	http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting good place to compare many bulbs and ballasts

09/18/2008, 09:11 PM	#5
taylor t Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Naperville, Il Posts: 2,396	I have a light meter that measures less than half the "punch" from a 20K (blue) than from a 10K (white) at about 8 inches in the water. The 14K bulbs I have are in the middle (so, so growth). All 150 watt DE. I have the outer orbit, which is similar to yours. There is, in my tanks, a very noticable difference in growth using 10K or 20K. 10K gives much better growth. 20K keeps sps alive, but doesn't grow much. The only brand bulbs I've tried are current brand. I'm about to order either hamiltons or xm in a 10K. I'm looking for more "punch", but I may just change my whole fixture. Not sure yet. HTH.