MH bulb picking

Jpergamo · 02/03/2008, 10:33 AM

gmorning all, i just finished my canopy recently and im ready to pick out my 400 w mh bulbs, the light consists of 2 x 400 w and 4 x 39 w actinic t -5s. light is gonna be on a 180 reef with 50 gallon sump/fuge, this is mainly a question of spectrum weather i should go with 10k, 14k, 20... thanks guys, o im planning on mostly sps with low bioload thnx.

amike5 · 02/03/2008, 10:48 AM

The K rating of bulbs doesn't say much about the individual bulbs color. Some 14K bulbs can be white, light blue, or look more like a 20K bulb. Do you have a specific bulb in mind?

widmer · 02/03/2008, 10:55 AM

My supplier puts the XM bulbs over all his tanks. He goes with the 20K mostly, but even down to the 10 K looks nice too

SemperReef · 02/03/2008, 11:00 AM

Try Reeflux 12k's, IMO they have a great balance.

I have the 175w version, you would just have to check to see if they have 400's.

Or you could always go with Hamilton Technology they are superior (also IMO).

Jpergamo · 02/03/2008, 11:08 AM

thanks the xm bulbs i heard a lot about but a specific brand i havent decided yet just askin around still i diddnt realize that the spectrum changes with every brand but it makes sense

02/03/2008, 10:33 AM	#1
Jpergamo Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Queens NY Posts: 142	MH bulb picking gmorning all, i just finished my canopy recently and im ready to pick out my 400 w mh bulbs, the light consists of 2 x 400 w and 4 x 39 w actinic t -5s. light is gonna be on a 180 reef with 50 gallon sump/fuge, this is mainly a question of spectrum weather i should go with 10k, 14k, 20... thanks guys, o im planning on mostly sps with low bioload thnx. __________________ Put a sweater on babe, your gonna get ich. Current Tank Info: 180 aga RR/ DIY sump-fuge with cheato, aqua c EV 240 mag18 driven, mag 18 return, 2xKorilia 4. DIY light 4X39 T-5 actinic, 2x 400w 10k.

02/03/2008, 11:08 AM	#5
Jpergamo Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Queens NY Posts: 142	thanks the xm bulbs i heard a lot about but a specific brand i havent decided yet just askin around still i diddnt realize that the spectrum changes with every brand but it makes sense __________________ Put a sweater on babe, your gonna get ich. Current Tank Info: 180 aga RR/ DIY sump-fuge with cheato, aqua c EV 240 mag18 driven, mag 18 return, 2xKorilia 4. DIY light 4X39 T-5 actinic, 2x 400w 10k.

02/03/2008, 10:48 AM	#2
amike5 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 724	The K rating of bulbs doesn't say much about the individual bulbs color. Some 14K bulbs can be white, light blue, or look more like a 20K bulb. Do you have a specific bulb in mind?

02/03/2008, 10:55 AM	#3
widmer Drug Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rochester, MN Posts: 2,958	My supplier puts the XM bulbs over all his tanks. He goes with the 20K mostly, but even down to the 10 K looks nice too

02/03/2008, 11:00 AM	#4
SemperReef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 53	Try Reeflux 12k's, IMO they have a great balance. I have the 175w version, you would just have to check to see if they have 400's. Or you could always go with Hamilton Technology they are superior (also IMO).