Replacement bulbs

Burbs · 01/15/2008, 10:10 AM

thinking about replacing the bulbs on my 250w MH system it currently has 14k in it and i was wondering if anyone recomended something higher or lower. Also recommend a brand of builbs and where to ge them, Thnx.

Shooter7 · 01/15/2008, 10:46 AM

Bulbs are a pretty personal choice when it comes to color. The higher k's being more blue, but often lacking in PAR. Kind of depends on what you have going in your tank. For example, I have a lot of SPS frags that I want to get some growth out of, so for now I have 10k lights going that have good PAR. I am currently using Reeflux 10k's, but have used Ushio 10k's and Reeflux 12k's before as well.

Burbs · 01/15/2008, 11:25 AM

so lower "k" promotes better growth?

Shooter7 · 01/15/2008, 11:45 AM

In my ventures and searches through the SPS forum, the 10k bulbs are often recommended for those looking for increased growth from their corals. I don't proclaim to be a lighting specialist, but in my many readings of threads and articles, bulbs like the 10k XM, Ushio, and Reeflux are often recommended. There are several guys over there who like the 20k bulbs, or bulbs like the Reeflux 12k, but they mostly run them in 400w instead of 250w. I got poor growth from my 250w Reeflux 12k's, better growth from my Ushio 10k's (though I wasn't real happy with the color of the tank overall), and I'm getting very good growth in general from my current Reeflux 10k's.

Burbs · 01/15/2008, 12:07 PM

thnx for the info

mdefo25 · 01/15/2008, 10:00 PM

CoralVue 12,000K

sharko88 · 01/16/2008, 02:05 PM

10000K bulb will see more growth, but without actinics will be too yellow. Reeflex makes a great 12000K bulb.

Shooter7 · 01/16/2008, 04:16 PM

True, the Reeflux 12k bulb looks good to the eye, but its PAR readings leave something to be desired in the 250w range, and therefore aren't real conducive to growth of SPS. Ran them for about 9 months previously.

01/15/2008, 10:10 AM	#1
Burbs Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Charleston,SC Posts: 324	Replacement bulbs thinking about replacing the bulbs on my 250w MH system it currently has 14k in it and i was wondering if anyone recomended something higher or lower. Also recommend a brand of builbs and where to ge them, Thnx.

01/15/2008, 10:46 AM	#2
Shooter7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tolono, IL Posts: 6,754	Bulbs are a pretty personal choice when it comes to color. The higher k's being more blue, but often lacking in PAR. Kind of depends on what you have going in your tank. For example, I have a lot of SPS frags that I want to get some growth out of, so for now I have 10k lights going that have good PAR. I am currently using Reeflux 10k's, but have used Ushio 10k's and Reeflux 12k's before as well. __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 10 years salty - standard 29g reef - moved from 120 gal reef, 2x250w Reeflux 10k's on ARO electronics and VHO super actinics on Icecap ballast, 2xTunze 6060, MSX 200 skimmer, GEO 612 Ca reactor, mag 12 return

01/15/2008, 11:45 AM	#4
Shooter7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tolono, IL Posts: 6,754	In my ventures and searches through the SPS forum, the 10k bulbs are often recommended for those looking for increased growth from their corals. I don't proclaim to be a lighting specialist, but in my many readings of threads and articles, bulbs like the 10k XM, Ushio, and Reeflux are often recommended. There are several guys over there who like the 20k bulbs, or bulbs like the Reeflux 12k, but they mostly run them in 400w instead of 250w. I got poor growth from my 250w Reeflux 12k's, better growth from my Ushio 10k's (though I wasn't real happy with the color of the tank overall), and I'm getting very good growth in general from my current Reeflux 10k's. __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 10 years salty - standard 29g reef - moved from 120 gal reef, 2x250w Reeflux 10k's on ARO electronics and VHO super actinics on Icecap ballast, 2xTunze 6060, MSX 200 skimmer, GEO 612 Ca reactor, mag 12 return

01/16/2008, 04:16 PM	#8
Shooter7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tolono, IL Posts: 6,754	True, the Reeflux 12k bulb looks good to the eye, but its PAR readings leave something to be desired in the 250w range, and therefore aren't real conducive to growth of SPS. Ran them for about 9 months previously. __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 10 years salty - standard 29g reef - moved from 120 gal reef, 2x250w Reeflux 10k's on ARO electronics and VHO super actinics on Icecap ballast, 2xTunze 6060, MSX 200 skimmer, GEO 612 Ca reactor, mag 12 return

01/15/2008, 11:25 AM	#3
Burbs Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Charleston,SC Posts: 324	so lower "k" promotes better growth?

01/15/2008, 12:07 PM	#5
Burbs Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Charleston,SC Posts: 324	thnx for the info

01/15/2008, 10:00 PM	#6
mdefo25 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Addison IL Posts: 1,242	CoralVue 12,000K

01/16/2008, 02:05 PM	#7
sharko88 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 129	10000K bulb will see more growth, but without actinics will be too yellow. Reeflex makes a great 12000K bulb.