What's the best 175w mh bulb to get?

undertai · 10/15/2007, 01:51 AM

I have to different mh ballast. One is electronic and the or magnetic. I'm looking for a high par bulb between 12k to 15k. I Don't want a 10k or 20k bulb. Could some people suggest some bulbs to get that are high in par and give off a nice white / blue light without supplement lighing.

JetCat USA · 10/15/2007, 06:12 AM

Iwasaki 15kk

undertai · 10/15/2007, 01:54 PM

I was looking at the Iwasaki 15k. Both the prices are like $100 per bulb. I still might go with them if I can find them online for cheaper. Do you know of any places online to find them for cheap?

Paulairduck · 10/15/2007, 02:10 PM

The iwasaki's have the best par, but it's a lot for a 175. I have had good luck with the XM 10k and the Ushio 1OK, it just depends if you are going to supplement with actinic or use it as a stand alone.

hyperfocal · 10/15/2007, 02:29 PM

I like the Hamilton 10K bulbs, they're a lot more blue than the 275W 10K XMs I upgraded to.

pelochas · 10/15/2007, 02:37 PM

get the iwasakis, the price difference from hamiltons is less than the amount of more par you get.

also the blue looks reminds me of the xeon lights you see on fancy cars like bmws or benz, it gives your tank a cool xeon blue with very white look

kysard1 · 10/15/2007, 05:16 PM

The Iwasaki kills anything in that color temperature under 400 watts. It is a killer bulb. Really doesn't make any sense to run anything else except a 400W radium, but then you need a chiller.

Make sure you run it on an electronic ballast though.

10/15/2007, 01:51 AM	#1
undertai Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Turlock, CA Posts: 1,110	What's the best 175w mh bulb to get? I have to different mh ballast. One is electronic and the or magnetic. I'm looking for a high par bulb between 12k to 15k. I Don't want a 10k or 20k bulb. Could some people suggest some bulbs to get that are high in par and give off a nice white / blue light without supplement lighing.

10/15/2007, 02:29 PM	#5
hyperfocal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Edge of oblivion Posts: 1,708	I like the Hamilton 10K bulbs, they're a lot more blue than the 275W 10K XMs I upgraded to. __________________ "Froth at the top, dregs at bottom, but the middle excellent." -- Voltaire Current Tank Info: getting back into the hobby

10/15/2007, 02:37 PM	#6
pelochas Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pasadena, TX Posts: 385	get the iwasakis, the price difference from hamiltons is less than the amount of more par you get. also the blue looks reminds me of the xeon lights you see on fancy cars like bmws or benz, it gives your tank a cool xeon blue with very white look __________________ 120g Reef Tank Oceanic, 2x175watt MH 14k Iwasaki, 1 Ecotech MP40, Reeflo Dart return pump, AquaC EV-120 Eheim 1262 ,AquacontrollerJr, KentMaxximaHI-S, PhosBanReactor150, Geo Kalk Rx. Current Tank Info: working on diy led lighting and finishing a sump refuge relocated outside the house

10/15/2007, 06:12 AM	#2
JetCat USA Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2,847	Iwasaki 15kk

10/15/2007, 01:54 PM	#3
undertai Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Turlock, CA Posts: 1,110	I was looking at the Iwasaki 15k. Both the prices are like $100 per bulb. I still might go with them if I can find them online for cheaper. Do you know of any places online to find them for cheap?

10/15/2007, 02:10 PM	#4
Paulairduck I LOVE FREE FRAGS!!! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chino Hills Posts: 2,909	The iwasaki's have the best par, but it's a lot for a 175. I have had good luck with the XM 10k and the Ushio 1OK, it just depends if you are going to supplement with actinic or use it as a stand alone.

10/15/2007, 05:16 PM	#7
kysard1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: SE PA Posts: 827	The Iwasaki kills anything in that color temperature under 400 watts. It is a killer bulb. Really doesn't make any sense to run anything else except a 400W radium, but then you need a chiller. Make sure you run it on an electronic ballast though.