What halide bulb?

Al G Blenny · 04/29/2011, 12:49 PM

I am running a 250 watt blue wave electronic ballast on a DE pendant. I have a 30 gal tank and will likely be upgrading soon to a 65 gal. I'm just wanting to know what the top bulb or bulbs are right now. I'm keeping a mixed reef. Thanks.

Al G Blenny · 04/29/2011, 12:51 PM

Oh yeah and I don't have supplemental lights. I don't plan to put any on since I am going to upgrade soon.

alton · 04/29/2011, 02:26 PM

Radium

blakers82 · 04/29/2011, 02:46 PM

I don't believe Radium makes a 250 DE. They do make a 250w SE, which is what I use.

It really depends on which color spectrum you prefer, but if you are not planning supplemental lighting, then a similar 20K bulb like a Radium should tide you over well. But since you ask what the top bulbs are...there are 10K bulbs that crank our some serious PAR if that's what you are looking for.

Good luck with the 65 setup!

Al G Blenny · 04/29/2011, 02:58 PM

I used to use XM and when I tried a Radium, I didn't like it. I would love something that encourages good growth. I don't care much about the bulb color.

Al G Blenny · 04/29/2011, 02:59 PM

Would the phoenix 14,000k be one of the best bulbs?

ctripi · 04/29/2011, 05:49 PM

14K phoenix are great. Nice crisp white/blue hue. After using them for their expected life span, I switched to hamilton 14K and was immediately disappointed. Couldn't wait to switch back. Was thinking about 20K's but lower PAR convinced me otherwise.

Al G Blenny · 04/29/2011, 09:40 PM

Thanks for the responses everyone. I'm wondering what bulbs have the most PAR? Is there a bulb that is best for electronic ballasts?

Giz007 · 04/30/2011, 05:51 AM

xm 10K

fishcraze_1 · 04/30/2011, 06:18 AM

I have used ushio and phoenix bulbs with great success in the past. Would like to see radium in 250 de.

04/29/2011, 12:49 PM	#1
Al G Blenny Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Redwood City CA Posts: 1,210	What halide bulb? I am running a 250 watt blue wave electronic ballast on a DE pendant. I have a 30 gal tank and will likely be upgrading soon to a 65 gal. I'm just wanting to know what the top bulb or bulbs are right now. I'm keeping a mixed reef. Thanks.

04/29/2011, 02:46 PM	#4
blakers82 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Norman, OK Posts: 842	I don't believe Radium makes a 250 DE. They do make a 250w SE, which is what I use. It really depends on which color spectrum you prefer, but if you are not planning supplemental lighting, then a similar 20K bulb like a Radium should tide you over well. But since you ask what the top bulbs are...there are 10K bulbs that crank our some serious PAR if that's what you are looking for. Good luck with the 65 setup! __________________ The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever. -Jacques Yves Cousteau 150gal SPS

04/30/2011, 05:51 AM	#9
Giz007 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: sydney Australia Posts: 32	xm 10K __________________ Gizmo's 32x32x22 reef http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1903813

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04/29/2011, 12:51 PM	#2
Al G Blenny Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Redwood City CA Posts: 1,210	Oh yeah and I don't have supplemental lights. I don't plan to put any on since I am going to upgrade soon.

04/29/2011, 02:26 PM	#3
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	Radium

04/29/2011, 02:58 PM	#5
Al G Blenny Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Redwood City CA Posts: 1,210	I used to use XM and when I tried a Radium, I didn't like it. I would love something that encourages good growth. I don't care much about the bulb color.

04/29/2011, 02:59 PM	#6
Al G Blenny Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Redwood City CA Posts: 1,210	Would the phoenix 14,000k be one of the best bulbs?

04/29/2011, 05:49 PM	#7
ctripi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Easy bay , ca Posts: 677	14K phoenix are great. Nice crisp white/blue hue. After using them for their expected life span, I switched to hamilton 14K and was immediately disappointed. Couldn't wait to switch back. Was thinking about 20K's but lower PAR convinced me otherwise.

04/29/2011, 09:40 PM	#8
Al G Blenny Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Redwood City CA Posts: 1,210	Thanks for the responses everyone. I'm wondering what bulbs have the most PAR? Is there a bulb that is best for electronic ballasts?

04/30/2011, 06:18 AM	#10
fishcraze_1 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 284	I have used ushio and phoenix bulbs with great success in the past. Would like to see radium in 250 de.