Best lamp for 400w electronic ballast ?

eskymick · 02/07/2010, 03:31 PM

In the past, I've always used 250w Phoenix 14k lamps driven by HQI ballasts.

I've upgraded to a 400w Galaxy electronic ballast and I seek input on what might be the best 400w 20k SE lamp to use with that ballast.

Thanks in advance ...

jakano · 02/07/2010, 06:45 PM

I'd also like to know hear any suggestions on this one as well. I would think an XM 20K or a maybe even a Radium would be nice.

tylorarm · 02/07/2010, 10:51 PM

aquaconnect, but they're hard to find and expensive

xabo · 02/08/2010, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylorarm

aquaconnect, but they're hard to find and expensive

Hard to find...No Expensive......Yes

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/cat...Path=28_35_296

borcu · 02/08/2010, 04:30 PM

i agree. aquaconnect

eskymick · 02/08/2010, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smariner

Try the EVC lamp(10K, 14K or 20K), these are very nice lamps with high PAR and many people here on RC are running them.

Hope this helps,
Chad D. Bryant

Where can one purchase an EVC lamp ?

dancewithethan · 02/08/2010, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borcu

i agree. aquaconnect

+ 1 aquaconnect is the best. I have tried many bulbs out there, and I can say that after running aquaconnect SE bulb, I wouldn't want to try any thing else.

eskymick · 02/10/2010, 08:22 AM

I see that Aquaconnect lamps are 14k. I know that some 14k lamps are quite blue in color (Phoenix for example) .. approaching the look of a 20k lamp. Can that also be said of the Aquaconnects?

Since I'm unable to mount actinics over my rimless cube, I like the "blue" look of a 20k bulb.

cjcoopertag · 02/10/2010, 09:17 AM

Radium

xabo · 02/10/2010, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eskymick

I see that Aquaconnect lamps are 14k. I know that some 14k lamps are quite blue in color (Phoenix for example) .. approaching the look of a 20k lamp. Can that also be said of the Aquaconnects?

Since I'm unable to mount actinics over my rimless cube, I like the "blue" look of a 20k bulb.

It has a crisp white with a blue tint. Not as blue as a radium.

flamron · 02/10/2010, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eskymick

Where can one purchase an EVC lamp ?

From smariner.

xabo · 02/10/2010, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smariner

The 400W EVC 20K lamps are even bluer than the Radiums with higher PAR values(according to Sanjay's tests). In fact one of the people here has nicknamed them the "Blueberry" lamp.

Hope this helps,
Chad D. Bryant

Higher than the 400W Aqua Connects?

xabo · 02/10/2010, 01:47 PM

AC does not make a 20K.......the Ushio 14K is a nice bulb also at half the price of the AC's.

eskymick · 02/10/2010, 02:26 PM

I've been running a Hamilton 20k, but it seems to be failing prematurely. It's always difficult to choose a lamp without seeing one in service first. Like I said earlier, I always liked the look of a Phoenix 14k DE bulb. I'd like to find something with the same "look" in a 400w SE lamp.

Darth Reefer · 02/10/2010, 03:02 PM

20k Reeflux

02/07/2010, 03:31 PM	#1
eskymick Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pulaski, WI Posts: 1,368	Best lamp for 400w electronic ballast ? In the past, I've always used 250w Phoenix 14k lamps driven by HQI ballasts. I've upgraded to a 400w Galaxy electronic ballast and I seek input on what might be the best 400w 20k SE lamp to use with that ballast. Thanks in advance ... __________________ SG - 1.025 pH - 8.1 NH4/NH3 - 0 mg/L NO2 - .003 mg/L NO3 - .2 mg/L Calc. - 420 dKH - 8.0 Flow ~ 80x Current Tank Info: 24" cube SPS Reef, 15 gal sump, 1- LumenBright Pendant with 250w 20K Phoenix lamp, 1 - Vortech MP40, ATB 840 v1.5 skimmer.

02/10/2010, 08:22 AM	#8
eskymick Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pulaski, WI Posts: 1,368	I see that Aquaconnect lamps are 14k. I know that some 14k lamps are quite blue in color (Phoenix for example) .. approaching the look of a 20k lamp. Can that also be said of the Aquaconnects? Since I'm unable to mount actinics over my rimless cube, I like the "blue" look of a 20k bulb. __________________ SG - 1.025 pH - 8.1 NH4/NH3 - 0 mg/L NO2 - .003 mg/L NO3 - .2 mg/L Calc. - 420 dKH - 8.0 Flow ~ 80x Current Tank Info: 24" cube SPS Reef, 15 gal sump, 1- LumenBright Pendant with 250w 20K Phoenix lamp, 1 - Vortech MP40, ATB 840 v1.5 skimmer.

02/10/2010, 02:26 PM	#14
eskymick Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pulaski, WI Posts: 1,368	I've been running a Hamilton 20k, but it seems to be failing prematurely. It's always difficult to choose a lamp without seeing one in service first. Like I said earlier, I always liked the look of a Phoenix 14k DE bulb. I'd like to find something with the same "look" in a 400w SE lamp. __________________ SG - 1.025 pH - 8.1 NH4/NH3 - 0 mg/L NO2 - .003 mg/L NO3 - .2 mg/L Calc. - 420 dKH - 8.0 Flow ~ 80x Current Tank Info: 24" cube SPS Reef, 15 gal sump, 1- LumenBright Pendant with 250w 20K Phoenix lamp, 1 - Vortech MP40, ATB 840 v1.5 skimmer.

02/07/2010, 06:45 PM	#2
jakano Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: columbus ohio Posts: 1,562	I'd also like to know hear any suggestions on this one as well. I would think an XM 20K or a maybe even a Radium would be nice.

02/07/2010, 10:51 PM	#3
tylorarm Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 759	aquaconnect, but they're hard to find and expensive

02/08/2010, 04:30 PM	#5
borcu bordox Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 315	i agree. aquaconnect

02/10/2010, 09:17 AM	#9
cjcoopertag Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Keller, TX Posts: 30	Radium

02/10/2010, 01:47 PM	#13
xabo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Wash. D.C. Posts: 637	AC does not make a 20K.......the Ushio 14K is a nice bulb also at half the price of the AC's.

02/10/2010, 03:02 PM	#15
Darth Reefer Moved On Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: South Chicago Burbs Posts: 139	20k Reeflux