Best 250w bulb to run on an electric ballast with actinics?

reeftanker3295 · 11/28/2010, 01:55 PM

I have 2x 250w ARO ballasts with spider reflectors over my 90g tank along with 2x pure actinic 110w VHO's running on an Icecap 660 ballast.
I run 2 Reeflux 10k bulbs over my tank right now and it is almost time for me to get new bulbs. I like the look of my lighting now except its just a BIT to yellow for me. I love the brightness and PAR of these bulbs but I want a bulb with a little less yellow in them without taking away the brightness or too much PAR. If there are none that still have PAR this high then I will stick with reeflux 10k's. What do you guys run on your 250w electric ballasts and hows the PAR? Also, post some pictures of your tank if you can!

nnewhouse · 11/28/2010, 07:35 PM

I my opinion you can't beat 20k radiums. I also run ARO ballasts and I love the color. When I first fired them up I thought the blue was a little much but after a few days it lightened up. They are one of the highest rated 20k bulbs for par value also. There are actually few 14-15k bulbs that can compare to their par values.

reeftanker3295 · 11/28/2010, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nnewhouse

I my opinion you can't beat 20k radiums. I also run ARO ballasts and I love the color. When I first fired them up I thought the blue was a little much but after a few days it lightened up. They are one of the highest rated 20k bulbs for par value also. There are actually few 14-15k bulbs that can compare to their par values.

I would love them but do the ARO ballasts run them ok? Electric ballasts are supposed to kill the life time on them. They're running fine for you?

Takitaj · 11/29/2010, 02:38 AM

If your not looking to go extreme blue (20k)...Have you considered the Phoenix 14k bulbs? Nice blue, very good PAR and great price. With actinics even better. I ran them on Lumenmaxes without any other supplements and were perfect for me.

reeftanker3295 · 12/04/2010, 10:00 AM

Bump... Will the Phoenix's look and work fine on my ARO ballast or is it the same deal as the Radiums?

mfinn · 12/04/2010, 10:12 AM

I've been using Hamilton 14k bulbs on my softy tanks for about 7 years.
Makes the colors really pop.

I do use a Radium 20k bulb on my zoanthid tank, but IMO it would be too blue for me on the softy tank.

djvez · 12/05/2010, 10:59 PM

20k radiums here.

oscar.millan · 12/06/2010, 12:21 AM

14k Phoenix bulbs are great. Ushio 20k is good as well.

Arkayology · 12/06/2010, 12:22 AM

14k phoenix, nice color, good "pop", but not too blue

C-21 USAF · 01/01/2011, 11:22 AM

Been running Radiums for a years now...they're okay, but I won't be repurchasing

11/28/2010, 01:55 PM	#1
reeftanker3295 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 192	Best 250w bulb to run on an electric ballast with actinics? I have 2x 250w ARO ballasts with spider reflectors over my 90g tank along with 2x pure actinic 110w VHO's running on an Icecap 660 ballast. I run 2 Reeflux 10k bulbs over my tank right now and it is almost time for me to get new bulbs. I like the look of my lighting now except its just a BIT to yellow for me. I love the brightness and PAR of these bulbs but I want a bulb with a little less yellow in them without taking away the brightness or too much PAR. If there are none that still have PAR this high then I will stick with reeflux 10k's. What do you guys run on your 250w electric ballasts and hows the PAR? Also, post some pictures of your tank if you can!

11/29/2010, 02:38 AM	#4
Takitaj Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Maine Posts: 66	If your not looking to go extreme blue (20k)...Have you considered the Phoenix 14k bulbs? Nice blue, very good PAR and great price. With actinics even better. I ran them on Lumenmaxes without any other supplements and were perfect for me. __________________ 90gal Megaflow - redo

12/04/2010, 10:12 AM	#6
mfinn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Olympia. WA. Posts: 8,648	I've been using Hamilton 14k bulbs on my softy tanks for about 7 years. Makes the colors really pop. I do use a Radium 20k bulb on my zoanthid tank, but IMO it would be too blue for me on the softy tank. __________________ 240 gallon soft coral tank 50 gallon lps tank

12/06/2010, 12:21 AM	#8
oscar.millan Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,003	14k Phoenix bulbs are great. Ushio 20k is good as well. __________________ "Let the future tell the truth and evaluate each one according to his work and accomplishments. The present is theirs; the future, for which I really worked, is mine." -Tesla Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef, 90g rimless cube.

12/06/2010, 12:22 AM	#9
Arkayology Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,597	14k phoenix, nice color, good "pop", but not too blue __________________ -Matt in between tanks

11/28/2010, 07:35 PM	#2
nnewhouse Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 75	I my opinion you can't beat 20k radiums. I also run ARO ballasts and I love the color. When I first fired them up I thought the blue was a little much but after a few days it lightened up. They are one of the highest rated 20k bulbs for par value also. There are actually few 14-15k bulbs that can compare to their par values.

12/04/2010, 10:00 AM	#5
reeftanker3295 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 192	Bump... Will the Phoenix's look and work fine on my ARO ballast or is it the same deal as the Radiums?

12/05/2010, 10:59 PM	#7
djvez Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 68	20k radiums here.

01/01/2011, 11:22 AM	#10
C-21 USAF Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 316	Been running Radiums for a years now...they're okay, but I won't be repurchasing

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