Which bulb to buy for this MH ballast?

Fig70g · 11/23/2008, 12:47 PM

I purchased a 250w DE metal halide off craigslist last year when I started my 70. I didnt know much about them and bought an XM 15k bulb, which I am happy with the color, but I understand they dont have a very high PAR value. The bulb is about 9 months old, but for the past 3 months it seems all of my softies are really reaching for the light. I can keep a monti but its growth is slow.
I have read certain bulbs are better for certain ballasts, they have to fully fire the bulb. I dont know if it is the bulb or the ballast, since the bulb sometimes flickers between blue and a more greenish/yellow tint. This is the info on the ballast, and it is hardwired to a PFO looking pendant but I didnt see a label on the pendant:
EVC Technology LLC
250 watt Electronic Metal Haide Ballast
120 VAC, 60Hz, Input Current:2.1 Amps
www.evctech.com
The website doesnt look like the company is even around anymore, did I just get an old ballast or do I need a specific brand of bulb? Any info would be great, thank you!!

mordibv · 11/23/2008, 01:28 PM

Any higher k bulb is going to be lacking in par at least compared to 10k bulbs .You don't have to use actinics and the sacrifice can be slower growth on SPS . Try Sanjay's light calculator for your ballast and different bulbs so you can get and idea of which new bulb to choose .

Dustint21 · 11/23/2008, 01:30 PM

I use 250 DE XM 10Ks on my 90 gallon mixed reef! I have great growth out of all my corals! I have mostly SPS,LPS, and a few softies! The XM 10K is very yellow/white, so I use two 110w VHO super actinics to get alittle more purple color in the tank! Im getting ready to buy some new bulbs. From what I have heard Reflux 12k's give a good combination of growth and color! Good luck and post some pics!

Fig70g · 11/23/2008, 09:13 PM

I may not have been clear on my question, I have some understanding to the fact that a higher kelvin rating will generally have less PAR, and more on the blue side. I am looking to get better growth so I was looking at the Reeflux 12k or Phoenix 14k, they seem to be popular. I am just wondering since I have heard you need the right bulb to match your ballast so it fires properly. As if certain brands work better for an electronic ballast, or the brand of ballast- this part I dont know. Or do I really just need to try other bulbs and see how everything grows?
Thank you for the replies and help!

11/23/2008, 12:47 PM	#1
Fig70g Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 637	Which bulb to buy for this MH ballast? I purchased a 250w DE metal halide off craigslist last year when I started my 70. I didnt know much about them and bought an XM 15k bulb, which I am happy with the color, but I understand they dont have a very high PAR value. The bulb is about 9 months old, but for the past 3 months it seems all of my softies are really reaching for the light. I can keep a monti but its growth is slow. I have read certain bulbs are better for certain ballasts, they have to fully fire the bulb. I dont know if it is the bulb or the ballast, since the bulb sometimes flickers between blue and a more greenish/yellow tint. This is the info on the ballast, and it is hardwired to a PFO looking pendant but I didnt see a label on the pendant: EVC Technology LLC 250 watt Electronic Metal Haide Ballast 120 VAC, 60Hz, Input Current:2.1 Amps www.evctech.com The website doesnt look like the company is even around anymore, did I just get an old ballast or do I need a specific brand of bulb? Any info would be great, thank you!! __________________ Kevin "The older you get, the more rules they are going to try and get you to follow. You just gotta keep on livin', man. L-I-V-I-N" Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef, 30g sump, Little Giant 3MDQ return, split to 5g fuge. ASM G1x skimmer. T5 lighting

11/23/2008, 01:28 PM	#2
mordibv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Western Mass Posts: 1,499	Any higher k bulb is going to be lacking in par at least compared to 10k bulbs .You don't have to use actinics and the sacrifice can be slower growth on SPS . Try Sanjay's light calculator for your ballast and different bulbs so you can get and idea of which new bulb to choose . __________________ It's hard to take advice from those who do not show the fruits of their labor . Current Tank Info: No tank ATM

11/23/2008, 01:30 PM	#3
Dustint21 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ft Hood, TX/ Peoria, IL Posts: 330	I use 250 DE XM 10Ks on my 90 gallon mixed reef! I have great growth out of all my corals! I have mostly SPS,LPS, and a few softies! The XM 10K is very yellow/white, so I use two 110w VHO super actinics to get alittle more purple color in the tank! Im getting ready to buy some new bulbs. From what I have heard Reflux 12k's give a good combination of growth and color! Good luck and post some pics! __________________ DIY 72''x24''x18'' , 75g sump/ fuge, DAS EX3 skimmer, Tunze PH's, 400w MH's with DIY Lumenarc reflectors Current Tank Info: 200+ gallons

11/23/2008, 09:13 PM	#4
Fig70g Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 637	I may not have been clear on my question, I have some understanding to the fact that a higher kelvin rating will generally have less PAR, and more on the blue side. I am looking to get better growth so I was looking at the Reeflux 12k or Phoenix 14k, they seem to be popular. I am just wondering since I have heard you need the right bulb to match your ballast so it fires properly. As if certain brands work better for an electronic ballast, or the brand of ballast- this part I dont know. Or do I really just need to try other bulbs and see how everything grows? Thank you for the replies and help! __________________ Kevin "The older you get, the more rules they are going to try and get you to follow. You just gotta keep on livin', man. L-I-V-I-N" Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef, 30g sump, Little Giant 3MDQ return, split to 5g fuge. ASM G1x skimmer. T5 lighting