Your Favorite MH Bulbs for SPS! 400w

huskysglare1 · 02/06/2011, 04:59 AM

What's your favorite MH 400w Bulbs for an SPS tank with VHO actinics.

Coraldomination · 02/06/2011, 06:18 AM

Radium, Ushio 14k, Aquaconnect are my faves.

huskysglare1 · 02/06/2011, 06:28 AM

I'd read that 250w 12k reeflux out par 400w radium 20k. In addition, 20k reeflux out par 12k. Which means, 20k reeflux out par Radium 20 by a wide margin. It seems pretty crazy the amount of par Reeflux puts out. I am a bit curious about the reeflux myself.

http://www.melevsreef.com/par_readings.html

sabodish · 02/06/2011, 08:15 AM

i am running those 20k reeflux now and while they might look ok with actinics, they are nowhere near as blue as one would expect a 20k bulb to be. when it comes time to switch out again, im going back to radiums, as i prefer a more blue look and dont have room to run actinics.

nanotank · 02/06/2011, 11:13 AM

XM20k off m59 ballast or radium off galaxy or hqi...

Felixc395 · 02/06/2011, 11:17 AM

Radiums!!!

But with actinics, that may just be too blue.

huskysglare1 · 02/06/2011, 02:52 PM

I am using radium right now and growth seems to be lacking. Anyone else experience slower growth w radium?

huskysglare1 · 02/06/2011, 08:58 PM

Anyone use 20k 400w radium?

huskysglare1 · 02/06/2011, 11:08 PM

I meant reeflux.

zaheda · 02/07/2011, 04:47 AM

14k BLV, or the 20k BLV

firebirdcrzy · 02/07/2011, 06:34 AM

I am running 22k Plusrites with 2xvho and the color is not bad. I do plan to try a radiums soon just to see what they look like

huskysglare1 · 02/13/2011, 05:14 PM

I'd just tried out the reeflux 20k 400w and BOY! is it bright. I don't think it's 20k. It looks more like 12k. it's pretty yellow. I think it'll be better for coral growth than radiums. I'll test them out with two garf bonsai corals.

grigsy · 02/13/2011, 09:19 PM

Husky - Does your Reeflux bulb appear as white, blue, pink, yellow, green?

That is about the range of color differences you can expect from your average Reeflux bulb. Never has a consistent spectrum.

Best choice in 400 watt for SPS growth would be 400 watt Iwasaki paired up with two super actinic VHOs.

That cant be beat for SPS growth.

huskysglare1 · 02/13/2011, 11:09 PM

What Kelvin for the iwasaki grigsy. I'll give that bulb a try also.

henrystyle · 04/01/2011, 04:23 PM

tagging along. Also what ballast with that iwasaki? You can't talk about bulbs without talking about the ballast to.
I have 2-20k 400w artemis bulbs on a pfo duel ballast. Color is not bad at all. Don't have any corals in the tank yet though to see what the growth and color is like..

orthokardia · 04/02/2011, 06:16 AM

It sounds crazy, but I run reflux 10k (yes 10k) with VHO actinic and they look just like my other tank with radiums only. The 10k reflux are crazy bright and develop the best blues in your corals of any bulb I have ever seen.

-bart

henrystyle · 04/02/2011, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orthokardia

It sounds crazy, but I run reflux 10k (yes 10k) with VHO actinic and they look just like my other tank with radiums only. The 10k reflux are crazy bright and develop the best blues in your corals of any bulb I have ever seen.

-bart

What ballast are you using?
I saw those 10k reeflux bulbs in person years ago and they are pretty blue. No supplementation needed. Wonder how they would look with a pfo ballast.

orthokardia · 04/02/2011, 04:41 PM

New style icecap. I would still use the supplement with actinic. Also I always wanted to try a red bulb like fuji purple as my reds were always lacking. That might be a chemistry issue though.

02/06/2011, 04:59 AM	#1
huskysglare1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Jose Posts: 1,406	Your Favorite MH Bulbs for SPS! 400w What's your favorite MH 400w Bulbs for an SPS tank with VHO actinics. __________________ Since Jan 2008 Current system: 170G+50g Sump/Bio-Pellet Reactor. 2x400w Radium+2x110w VHO. 2 x HYDRO Magnum 8 + 1xMP60w (removed 2 x Koralia 4). SWC 300A Cone (had SWC 200 w/ Red Demon); it's AWESOME! BRS DOSER(Cal, Alk, and Mag). Current Tank Info: 170g+50g sump

02/06/2011, 06:28 AM	#3
huskysglare1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Jose Posts: 1,406	I'd read that 250w 12k reeflux out par 400w radium 20k. In addition, 20k reeflux out par 12k. Which means, 20k reeflux out par Radium 20 by a wide margin. It seems pretty crazy the amount of par Reeflux puts out. I am a bit curious about the reeflux myself. http://www.melevsreef.com/par_readings.html __________________ Since Jan 2008 Current system: 170G+50g Sump/Bio-Pellet Reactor. 2x400w Radium+2x110w VHO. 2 x HYDRO Magnum 8 + 1xMP60w (removed 2 x Koralia 4). SWC 300A Cone (had SWC 200 w/ Red Demon); it's AWESOME! BRS DOSER(Cal, Alk, and Mag). Current Tank Info: 170g+50g sump

02/06/2011, 02:52 PM	#7
huskysglare1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Jose Posts: 1,406	I am using radium right now and growth seems to be lacking. Anyone else experience slower growth w radium? __________________ Since Jan 2008 Current system: 170G+50g Sump/Bio-Pellet Reactor. 2x400w Radium+2x110w VHO. 2 x HYDRO Magnum 8 + 1xMP60w (removed 2 x Koralia 4). SWC 300A Cone (had SWC 200 w/ Red Demon); it's AWESOME! BRS DOSER(Cal, Alk, and Mag). Current Tank Info: 170g+50g sump

02/06/2011, 08:58 PM	#8
huskysglare1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Jose Posts: 1,406	Anyone use 20k 400w radium? __________________ Since Jan 2008 Current system: 170G+50g Sump/Bio-Pellet Reactor. 2x400w Radium+2x110w VHO. 2 x HYDRO Magnum 8 + 1xMP60w (removed 2 x Koralia 4). SWC 300A Cone (had SWC 200 w/ Red Demon); it's AWESOME! BRS DOSER(Cal, Alk, and Mag). Current Tank Info: 170g+50g sump

02/06/2011, 11:08 PM	#9
huskysglare1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Jose Posts: 1,406	I meant reeflux. __________________ Since Jan 2008 Current system: 170G+50g Sump/Bio-Pellet Reactor. 2x400w Radium+2x110w VHO. 2 x HYDRO Magnum 8 + 1xMP60w (removed 2 x Koralia 4). SWC 300A Cone (had SWC 200 w/ Red Demon); it's AWESOME! BRS DOSER(Cal, Alk, and Mag). Current Tank Info: 170g+50g sump

02/06/2011, 06:18 AM	#2
Coraldomination Moved On Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 92	Radium, Ushio 14k, Aquaconnect are my faves.

02/06/2011, 08:15 AM	#4
sabodish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Holly Springs, NC Posts: 1,703	i am running those 20k reeflux now and while they might look ok with actinics, they are nowhere near as blue as one would expect a 20k bulb to be. when it comes time to switch out again, im going back to radiums, as i prefer a more blue look and dont have room to run actinics.

02/06/2011, 11:13 AM	#5
nanotank Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 474 Blog Entries: 2	XM20k off m59 ballast or radium off galaxy or hqi...

02/06/2011, 11:17 AM	#6
Felixc395 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,612	Radiums!!! But with actinics, that may just be too blue.

02/07/2011, 04:47 AM	#10
zaheda Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 674	14k BLV, or the 20k BLV

02/07/2011, 06:34 AM	#11
firebirdcrzy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern Neck, Virginia Posts: 1,096	I am running 22k Plusrites with 2xvho and the color is not bad. I do plan to try a radiums soon just to see what they look like __________________ My Wife says I have a problem. I responded by saying "if I could seal all the doors and windows, I would fill the whole house with water". Title: The equipment hoarder Current Tank Info: 30gal Clarkii tank: 90 gal RR,2x400w plusrite 22k 2x110w vho super actinic, deltec APF600,Tunze Osmo,2xTunze 6105 on 7095,MRC CR2,Kalk reactor,JBJ artica 1/5hp chiller, ACIII, 24"x24"x12" (30gal) frag tank joined to main tank:

02/13/2011, 05:14 PM	#12
huskysglare1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Jose Posts: 1,406	I'd just tried out the reeflux 20k 400w and BOY! is it bright. I don't think it's 20k. It looks more like 12k. it's pretty yellow. I think it'll be better for coral growth than radiums. I'll test them out with two garf bonsai corals. __________________ Since Jan 2008 Current system: 170G+50g Sump/Bio-Pellet Reactor. 2x400w Radium+2x110w VHO. 2 x HYDRO Magnum 8 + 1xMP60w (removed 2 x Koralia 4). SWC 300A Cone (had SWC 200 w/ Red Demon); it's AWESOME! BRS DOSER(Cal, Alk, and Mag). Current Tank Info: 170g+50g sump

02/13/2011, 09:19 PM	#13
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	Husky - Does your Reeflux bulb appear as white, blue, pink, yellow, green? That is about the range of color differences you can expect from your average Reeflux bulb. Never has a consistent spectrum. Best choice in 400 watt for SPS growth would be 400 watt Iwasaki paired up with two super actinic VHOs. That cant be beat for SPS growth.

02/13/2011, 11:09 PM	#14
huskysglare1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Jose Posts: 1,406	What Kelvin for the iwasaki grigsy. I'll give that bulb a try also. __________________ Since Jan 2008 Current system: 170G+50g Sump/Bio-Pellet Reactor. 2x400w Radium+2x110w VHO. 2 x HYDRO Magnum 8 + 1xMP60w (removed 2 x Koralia 4). SWC 300A Cone (had SWC 200 w/ Red Demon); it's AWESOME! BRS DOSER(Cal, Alk, and Mag). Current Tank Info: 170g+50g sump

04/01/2011, 04:23 PM	#15
henrystyle Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: East Stroudsburg, Pa Posts: 668	tagging along. Also what ballast with that iwasaki? You can't talk about bulbs without talking about the ballast to. I have 2-20k 400w artemis bulbs on a pfo duel ballast. Color is not bad at all. Don't have any corals in the tank yet though to see what the growth and color is like.. __________________ HENRYSTYLE - That Henry Guy Current Tank Info: 30g frag tank/120g sps dominant reef

04/02/2011, 06:16 AM	#16
orthokardia Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: manchester, tn Posts: 1,139	It sounds crazy, but I run reflux 10k (yes 10k) with VHO actinic and they look just like my other tank with radiums only. The 10k reflux are crazy bright and develop the best blues in your corals of any bulb I have ever seen. -bart __________________ 185 gal SPS "The Pheonix", 300 gal SPS Dominant "Remember the signs" - C.S. Lewis The Silver Chair

04/02/2011, 04:41 PM	#18
orthokardia Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: manchester, tn Posts: 1,139	New style icecap. I would still use the supplement with actinic. Also I always wanted to try a red bulb like fuji purple as my reds were always lacking. That might be a chemistry issue though. __________________ 185 gal SPS "The Pheonix", 300 gal SPS Dominant "Remember the signs" - C.S. Lewis The Silver Chair

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Actinc mh bulb for sps	adtravels	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	1	03/08/2006 07:12 AM