best 12-14k single ended bulb

azaintcold · 11/28/2007, 02:31 PM

I've read sanji's website information, and I'm still having a hard time figuring out which bulb I want to replace my current ones with, mainly because some of the bulbs im considering aren't on there.

I am looking for the best 12-14k 250w single ended bulb I can find with three things in mind:

par for growth, price, and color.

I have coralvue 14ks right now, look great but horrible growth.

I can't run actinics because of a space issue, and I'm running an icecap electronic ballasts.

Any advice would be appreciated.

hahnmeister · 11/28/2007, 02:57 PM

Radium 250wattSE would be my pick. They are a HQI rated bulb (normally reserved for DE socket) in a SE format. Long life, great output.

Ushio/BLV nepturion 14,000K (make sure its not CWA) is another consideration... more white (some who dont have clear water claim its too yellow), byt loads of output.

curthendrix · 11/28/2007, 03:04 PM

I would place much faith in the "K" rating of a particular bulb being the actual color. A 20k radium on a HQI ballast is more of a 12k-14k imo. Some 14k bulbs run much bluer than a true 14k color.

kdblove_99 · 11/28/2007, 03:09 PM

I love the Radium on a HQI ballast

raddogz · 11/28/2007, 03:16 PM

I like my Reeflux 12k for color, but may try the AquaConnects since they are closer to color and par of the DE Phoenix.

azaintcold · 11/28/2007, 03:41 PM

I've been leaning towards the radiums. I have heard many good things about them. I hear what your saying about the kelvin, I make sure I look up the true color on the spectrums before I get serious about the bulb, I'm' just throwing the 12-14k out there so most people have an idea of what color I'm looking for.

twon8 · 11/28/2007, 04:26 PM

i like the aquaconnect 14k

kdblove_99 · 11/28/2007, 04:54 PM

I have heard good things about the helio 20k also and its $20 cheaper than the radium.

think ********** uses the helio's

mg426 · 11/28/2007, 05:58 PM

Hamilton 14ks here.

bhdmc · 11/29/2007, 11:14 AM

I use Hamilton 14K as well.

azaintcold · 11/29/2007, 01:56 PM

My concern on the hamiltons is the par. It doesn't seem to be where others are in that catagory.

11/28/2007, 02:31 PM	#1
azaintcold Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Surprise, AZ Posts: 88	best 12-14k single ended bulb I've read sanji's website information, and I'm still having a hard time figuring out which bulb I want to replace my current ones with, mainly because some of the bulbs im considering aren't on there. I am looking for the best 12-14k 250w single ended bulb I can find with three things in mind: par for growth, price, and color. I have coralvue 14ks right now, look great but horrible growth. I can't run actinics because of a space issue, and I'm running an icecap electronic ballasts. Any advice would be appreciated.

11/28/2007, 03:04 PM	#3
curthendrix Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tulsa Posts: 758	I would place much faith in the "K" rating of a particular bulb being the actual color. A 20k radium on a HQI ballast is more of a 12k-14k imo. Some 14k bulbs run much bluer than a true 14k color. __________________ Curt Current Tank Info: 500g inwall

11/28/2007, 03:16 PM	#5
raddogz Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Bay Area Posts: 3,167	I like my Reeflux 12k for color, but may try the AquaConnects since they are closer to color and par of the DE Phoenix. __________________ Eileen If at first you don't succeed, failure may be your style. - Quentin Crisp Current Tank Info: 180g Reef

11/28/2007, 04:26 PM	#7
twon8 Formally registered membe Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: slightly sw of richmond, va Posts: 5,920	i like the aquaconnect 14k __________________ Anthony Richmond Reef Club "and as things fell apart, nobody paid much attention." Not building a wall but making a brick Current Tank Info: 300g DD display, 60g frag tank

11/28/2007, 05:58 PM	#9
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	Hamilton 14ks here. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

11/28/2007, 02:57 PM	#2
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	Radium 250wattSE would be my pick. They are a HQI rated bulb (normally reserved for DE socket) in a SE format. Long life, great output. Ushio/BLV nepturion 14,000K (make sure its not CWA) is another consideration... more white (some who dont have clear water claim its too yellow), byt loads of output.

11/28/2007, 03:09 PM	#4
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	I love the Radium on a HQI ballast

11/28/2007, 03:41 PM	#6
azaintcold Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Surprise, AZ Posts: 88	I've been leaning towards the radiums. I have heard many good things about them. I hear what your saying about the kelvin, I make sure I look up the true color on the spectrums before I get serious about the bulb, I'm' just throwing the 12-14k out there so most people have an idea of what color I'm looking for.

11/28/2007, 04:54 PM	#8
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	I have heard good things about the helio 20k also and its $20 cheaper than the radium. think ********** uses the helio's

11/29/2007, 11:14 AM	#10
bhdmc Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New York Posts: 956	I use Hamilton 14K as well.

11/29/2007, 01:56 PM	#11
azaintcold Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Surprise, AZ Posts: 88	My concern on the hamiltons is the par. It doesn't seem to be where others are in that catagory.