metal halide bulbs ?

greennd79 · 12/31/2007, 10:43 AM

I have a hamilton retrofit kit with 3 hamilton 250 watt 10k I want somethin g more blue can i use a some other brand or should i stick with hamilton and what k do you guys use in your tanks?

BryanJ · 12/31/2007, 11:49 AM

I have the 14k hamiltons and like them I am going to try Radiums at the next bulb change.

kdblove_99 · 12/31/2007, 11:56 AM

I have Radium 20K love it and it has great PAR. You need a M80 or electronic ballast though.

XM 20k is a good bulb.

Heard good things but but have not tried

Hamilton 14K-
Aquaconnect 14K
Helio 20K

greennd79 · 12/31/2007, 03:26 PM

thanks for the info i saw a setup with 15k xm bulbs looked pretty nice but have never seen any other brand then xm and hamilton

kdblove_99 · 12/31/2007, 07:19 PM

If you get an XM bulb i would not get the 15K it is garbage in my opinion. The PAR on it is awful the XM 20K is much nicer and has better PAR

cello · 12/31/2007, 07:26 PM

I user reflux 250w 12k. Nice light blue color.

Haxer · 12/31/2007, 07:43 PM

I agree with cello, i use the reeflux 250w 12k as well. Looks great with antic supplemtation. Very white with a hint of blue from the antics and no yellow. In comparsion i used to run ushio 10k. good growth but has a slight yellow tint even with antics...

kdblove_99 · 01/01/2008, 12:37 PM

Do you have supplements?

If not i would not get the Reeflux 12K if you want more blue. YOu will be dissapointed

12/31/2007, 10:43 AM	#1
greennd79 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: crestwood il Posts: 449	metal halide bulbs ? I have a hamilton retrofit kit with 3 hamilton 250 watt 10k I want somethin g more blue can i use a some other brand or should i stick with hamilton and what k do you guys use in your tanks?

12/31/2007, 11:49 AM	#2
BryanJ Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Green Bay, WI. Posts: 2,938	I have the 14k hamiltons and like them I am going to try Radiums at the next bulb change. __________________ Experience is the best source of information! Current Tank Info: 120 gallon mixed reef, 75 gallon sump, Sequence Wahoo, Tunze stream, Euroreef CS 8-1 and 2x250 MH

12/31/2007, 11:56 AM	#3
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	I have Radium 20K love it and it has great PAR. You need a M80 or electronic ballast though. XM 20k is a good bulb. Heard good things but but have not tried Hamilton 14K- Aquaconnect 14K Helio 20K

12/31/2007, 03:26 PM	#4
greennd79 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: crestwood il Posts: 449	thanks for the info i saw a setup with 15k xm bulbs looked pretty nice but have never seen any other brand then xm and hamilton

12/31/2007, 07:19 PM	#5
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	If you get an XM bulb i would not get the 15K it is garbage in my opinion. The PAR on it is awful the XM 20K is much nicer and has better PAR

12/31/2007, 07:26 PM	#6
cello Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 25	I user reflux 250w 12k. Nice light blue color.

12/31/2007, 07:43 PM	#7
Haxer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cross Hill, SC Posts: 250	I agree with cello, i use the reeflux 250w 12k as well. Looks great with antic supplemtation. Very white with a hint of blue from the antics and no yellow. In comparsion i used to run ushio 10k. good growth but has a slight yellow tint even with antics...

01/01/2008, 12:37 PM	#8
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	Do you have supplements? If not i would not get the Reeflux 12K if you want more blue. YOu will be dissapointed