400 watt Mogul, what bulb?

Sohal Tang Tim · 10/25/2009, 10:12 PM

I would like to know what bulbs have been popular with fellow
reefers using 400 watt single ended lights....

I believe what I am using are the 20K XM bulbs but I am not happy with
the spectrum... I dont know if the bulbs are perhaps past their prime
and need replacing or...if this is the true colour of them.....I Just dont
find them blue enough or making the corals pop... My red open brain for
example is looking slightly faded red under them....yet when they go off
and just actinics the red comes out immensely...I am looking for happy
medium.....again..perhaps the 20K XM's I am using are past their time
and need to be replaced.....

What are you using for 400 watt single ended bulbs? Experience? Comments?

Thanks,

Tim

DGee · 10/26/2009, 12:43 AM

Well I personally love 20k XM's but it also really depends on what ballast your driving them with. I prefer them on standard magnetic ballasts.

If you are using an HQI ballast then I would recommend Radium's You will get great colors. The only drawback is that you'll have to replace your bulbs about every 6-7 months.

Here's a crappy photo from my iPhone of one of my tanks with a 20k Radium on a std. magnetic ballast. They are just a little too blue and not quite bright enough for my liking on a std ballast but this will give you an idea. I've since switched this tank over to a 20k XM.

lordofthereef · 10/26/2009, 12:52 AM

Going to be trying 14k plusrites. There is a thread on them with par readings and all. I will try and dig it up.

lordofthereef · 10/26/2009, 12:55 AM

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...y+bulbs&page=4

About 3/4 down that page are some PAR readings done at a university laboratory aquarium I believe. Also a bunch of FTS using various bulbs. I show just the bulbs burning of mine since I don't have the tank set up yet that I plan to use it on. Fantastic success and readings at only 25 bucks a bulb.

lordofthereef · 10/26/2009, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGee

Here's a crappy photo from my iPhone

iPhones really take much better photos than most give them credit for IMO. Yeah they aren't DSLR quality, but then again the entire phones costs about half of what a DSLR costs LOL

DGee · 10/26/2009, 01:29 AM

Interesting read, I quickly ran through the thread... When it comes to bulbs I'm still a firm believer that you get what you pay for and over the years I just try to stick with what works well for me.

The iPhone does take a decent photo but I'm used to my slr's

Tim, my money says your bulbs are toast.

downhillbiker · 10/26/2009, 09:30 AM

I LOVE my 400w Radium 20k ran by my Pulse Start PFO ballast (M135). Color and growth are amazing, and I run no actinics.

10/25/2009, 10:12 PM	#1
Sohal Tang Tim Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Collingwood , ON, Canada Posts: 928	400 watt Mogul, what bulb? I would like to know what bulbs have been popular with fellow reefers using 400 watt single ended lights.... I believe what I am using are the 20K XM bulbs but I am not happy with the spectrum... I dont know if the bulbs are perhaps past their prime and need replacing or...if this is the true colour of them.....I Just dont find them blue enough or making the corals pop... My red open brain for example is looking slightly faded red under them....yet when they go off and just actinics the red comes out immensely...I am looking for happy medium.....again..perhaps the 20K XM's I am using are past their time and need to be replaced..... What are you using for 400 watt single ended bulbs? Experience? Comments? Thanks, Tim __________________ "My God Reefs are Gorgeous!" Current Tank Info: 25 gallon reef

10/26/2009, 12:52 AM	#3
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	Going to be trying 14k plusrites. There is a thread on them with par readings and all. I will try and dig it up. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

10/26/2009, 12:55 AM	#4
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...y+bulbs&page=4 About 3/4 down that page are some PAR readings done at a university laboratory aquarium I believe. Also a bunch of FTS using various bulbs. I show just the bulbs burning of mine since I don't have the tank set up yet that I plan to use it on. Fantastic success and readings at only 25 bucks a bulb. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

10/26/2009, 09:30 AM	#7
downhillbiker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 2,831	I LOVE my 400w Radium 20k ran by my Pulse Start PFO ballast (M135). Color and growth are amazing, and I run no actinics. __________________ The friendliest GIANT you'll ever meet. Current Tank Info: 200g Marineland Deep Dimension (Lumenmax Reflectors/Dual PFO 400w/Radium 20K) and 2xFrag Tanks (One TEK T5 fixture and one MH, Galaxy/Phoenix) on same system w/100g sump w/6"x100g DSB, AquaC EV-1000 Skimmer, Reeflo Barracuda return pump

10/26/2009, 01:29 AM	#6
DGee Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 271	Interesting read, I quickly ran through the thread... When it comes to bulbs I'm still a firm believer that you get what you pay for and over the years I just try to stick with what works well for me. The iPhone does take a decent photo but I'm used to my slr's Tim, my money says your bulbs are toast.