I want the best MH bulb for coral growth!!! let's see your pics....

sjj80 · 01/03/2010, 12:08 AM

I'm ready for a reef!!! I'm getting new lighting and after a lot of back and forth have decided to get two 250w SE MH retrofit for my canopy. Since I will be adding small corals or frags I want to use the best bulbs for growth.

Although I like the look of MH alone I will consider using actinic supp. to keep my tank from looking yellow. I really like the look of 14k alone but have heard that XM 10k is a good bulb for par, especially with ice cap elec. ballast. I'm also interested in XM 15k bulbs if anyone has any info or pics please share.

The Grim Reefer · 01/03/2010, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjj80

I'm ready for a reef!!! I'm getting new lighting and after a lot of back and forth have decided to get two 250w SE MH retrofit for my canopy. Since I will be adding small corals or frags I want to use the best bulbs for growth.

Although I like the look of MH alone I will consider using actinic supp. to keep my tank from looking yellow. I really like the look of 14k alone but have heard that XM 10k is a good bulb for par, especially with ice cap elec. ballast. I'm also interested in XM 15k bulbs if anyone has any info or pics please share.

Don't know abolut the best but if you want growth stay away from the 15K XM, really low PAR, less than the 20K lamp. The 10K is really good but if you don't want the actinic supplements go with the Phoenix 14K. They are a great stand alone lamp with pretty good PAR.

sjj80 · 01/03/2010, 12:50 AM

I've read up on the phoenix 14k as well and i like the pics and vids of tanks with those bulbs, only thing is i can only find info on double ended and not single ended phoenix bulbs. Is the SE as good as the DE???

sedor · 01/03/2010, 12:58 AM

I use Phoenix 14K's and love em!!! I would assume the SE is the same as the DE. If your unsure of what bulb to go with, start with the Phoenix, you really can't go wrong as far as a good mix of color and PAR goes. The rule of thumb is the closer to 10K you are the better growth, although I have recently been reading some contradicting comments regarding PAR.

sjj80 · 01/03/2010, 01:19 AM

Anyone know where i can buy MH retro and choose phoenix 14k??? or buy w/o bulb??? I've searched thru the sponsors here and none offer the phoenix with their ice cap 250w retros.

bvoss · 01/03/2010, 07:24 AM

I don't have pics handy but you are on the right track. XM10K with Icecap ballasts and lots of actinic makes coral grow like crazy. I have tried lots of combinations and never seen anything like it. Commercial growers like Dr. Mac at Pacific East Aquaculture will tell you the same thing.

amnesia · 01/03/2010, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjj80

Anyone know where i can buy MH retro and choose phoenix 14k??? or buy w/o bulb??? I've searched thru the sponsors here and none offer the phoenix with their ice cap 250w retros.

Did you try ReefGeek?

http://www.reefgeek.com/

Eel-byte · 01/03/2010, 09:59 AM

I ran a 14k Hamilton bulb had great success. I tired an XM 15k and XM 20k, they both sucked.

arredondojason · 01/03/2010, 10:04 AM

my avatar is a pic of my tank and it has 3 250W MH Hamilton 14k bulbs.

tgray3 · 01/03/2010, 10:09 AM

I use the Phoenix 14K also, love the color and growth i get. I use the 250w DE version, never used the SE version.

bigmatt · 01/03/2010, 10:31 AM

Using radiums 250 watt se in lumenbrights with 2 t5 uvl super actinics, amazing growth and coloration, best bulb combo i have ever used

01/03/2010, 12:08 AM	#1
sjj80 Hater of Hair Algae Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 1,098	I want the best MH bulb for coral growth!!! let's see your pics.... I'm ready for a reef!!! I'm getting new lighting and after a lot of back and forth have decided to get two 250w SE MH retrofit for my canopy. Since I will be adding small corals or frags I want to use the best bulbs for growth. Although I like the look of MH alone I will consider using actinic supp. to keep my tank from looking yellow. I really like the look of 14k alone but have heard that XM 10k is a good bulb for par, especially with ice cap elec. ballast. I'm also interested in XM 15k bulbs if anyone has any info or pics please share. __________________ 90g, two Korallia 4s, EuroReef RS135 skimmer, trying to upgrade my lighting. Current Tank Info: 90g under rehab!

01/03/2010, 12:50 AM	#3
sjj80 Hater of Hair Algae Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 1,098	I've read up on the phoenix 14k as well and i like the pics and vids of tanks with those bulbs, only thing is i can only find info on double ended and not single ended phoenix bulbs. Is the SE as good as the DE??? __________________ 90g, two Korallia 4s, EuroReef RS135 skimmer, trying to upgrade my lighting. Current Tank Info: 90g under rehab!

01/03/2010, 12:58 AM	#4
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	I use Phoenix 14K's and love em!!! I would assume the SE is the same as the DE. If your unsure of what bulb to go with, start with the Phoenix, you really can't go wrong as far as a good mix of color and PAR goes. The rule of thumb is the closer to 10K you are the better growth, although I have recently been reading some contradicting comments regarding PAR. __________________ Ryan

01/03/2010, 01:19 AM	#5
sjj80 Hater of Hair Algae Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 1,098	Anyone know where i can buy MH retro and choose phoenix 14k??? or buy w/o bulb??? I've searched thru the sponsors here and none offer the phoenix with their ice cap 250w retros. __________________ 90g, two Korallia 4s, EuroReef RS135 skimmer, trying to upgrade my lighting. Current Tank Info: 90g under rehab!

01/03/2010, 07:24 AM	#6
bvoss Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 795	I don't have pics handy but you are on the right track. XM10K with Icecap ballasts and lots of actinic makes coral grow like crazy. I have tried lots of combinations and never seen anything like it. Commercial growers like Dr. Mac at Pacific East Aquaculture will tell you the same thing.

01/03/2010, 09:59 AM	#8
Eel-byte Premium Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Duluth, Mn Posts: 1,508	I ran a 14k Hamilton bulb had great success. I tired an XM 15k and XM 20k, they both sucked.

01/03/2010, 10:04 AM	#9
arredondojason Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 988	my avatar is a pic of my tank and it has 3 250W MH Hamilton 14k bulbs.

01/03/2010, 10:09 AM	#10
tgray3 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 258	I use the Phoenix 14K also, love the color and growth i get. I use the 250w DE version, never used the SE version.

01/03/2010, 10:31 AM	#11
bigmatt Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: upstate ny Posts: 193	Using radiums 250 watt se in lumenbrights with 2 t5 uvl super actinics, amazing growth and coloration, best bulb combo i have ever used