MH Bulbs, which one should I go with?

brad23 · 01/25/2006, 06:59 PM

I'm sure what bulb to go with. I have a 75g

I'm looking at the XM 10k and I see it has a really high par reading above most other bulbs.

Also I was looking at the EVC TEK 10k or 14k as they are $20 cheaper with this retro combo.

I'm mostly keeping LPS some softies, but want a clam and maybe some SPS later on. Which setup would be best for me?

brad23 · 01/25/2006, 08:39 PM

bump

JR719 · 01/25/2006, 08:46 PM

I went from Ushio 10K's to XM 10k's. I'm going back to Ushio when the XM's are used up. Mine have a yellow tint to them as my Ushio's were a nice white. Others have said their XM's are a crisp white, but not mine. Don't want to spend the money again just to get yellow bulbs.
The par on the XM's is greater though. I am more interested in the overall look. Even with 2 URI VHO actinics, still a tinge of yellow.

brad23 · 01/25/2006, 09:28 PM

I might go with the EVC 14k I was told they are more bue and not to yellow or white. Will they put out enough par for what I want to keep?

brad23 · 01/25/2006, 10:54 PM

bump

Entropy · 01/25/2006, 11:38 PM

Are you supplementing with actinic? If not I would stay away from any 10k bulb unless you like bright white (no blue). The hamiliton 14ks look nice (175w SE's). What wattage and type bulb are you looking at?

brad23 · 01/26/2006, 09:13 AM

I wasn't going have actinic for now just the MH bulbs. Maybe I should stay with a 14k.

timr · 01/26/2006, 12:18 PM

Look here at Sanjay's info on the bulbs. He a lot of info on 175 and 250 watt bulbs. I have the EVC 14K 175 bulb and it is definitely blue. From a quality perspective I have not had a problem with the EVC equipment in the 1 year I have owned the system. Here is the link to Sanjay's site:

http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/

brad23 · 01/26/2006, 01:13 PM

I don't know, I will get actinic sometime or another I could probably deal with looking at 10k for a while.

timr · 01/26/2006, 02:12 PM

If you compare the EVC 10K and 14K bulbs at 175 watts it is surprising that the 14k bulb has a par of 58 compared to 57 for the 10k bulb. This makes the 14k bulb slightly more efficient than the 10k bulb as well.

In the 175 watt class the bulbs there is almost no difference in PAR. BUT at the 250 watt EVC bulbs the par is 110 for a 10K and only 71 for the 14k.

brad23 · 01/26/2006, 02:24 PM

Hmmmmmm now I don't know what to get. I don't really plan on getting SPS maybe a peace. I'd a clam and maybe a BTA.

Ceak · 01/26/2006, 03:04 PM

If you're looking for a DE bulb then get the Phoenix 14Ks. They are crisp white with a good hint of blue (nice blue not purple) and look very nice with our without actinic supplementation. The PAR is good too, way better then most 13-15k bulbs ...

brad23 · 01/26/2006, 03:32 PM

These were the units I was looking at buying, they do have a selcetion of bulbs you can choose for it.

http://oceanencounter.com/Merchant2/...ory_Code=EVMHR

Paulairduck · 01/26/2006, 04:27 PM

I am using Hamilton 14k ,175 watt and love them! I am not using actinic supplementation and the tank still looks good.

brad23 · 01/26/2006, 08:55 PM

bump

Sindjin · 01/26/2006, 08:58 PM

I just added Hamilton 14k's today. I love them!
I also have 2 VHO ACtinic supplements.
I love the blueish white... it really brought out the color of my tort!
I was running ReefGrow 10k's...way too yellow, IMO.

brad23 · 01/26/2006, 09:08 PM

What is the difference between the Hamilton 14k and the EVC 14k?

brad23 · 01/26/2006, 09:15 PM

I just looked at Sanjays graphs and the EVC and Hamilton seem to be very close with the EVC slightly ahead in par read out.

VaderWS6 · 01/26/2006, 10:01 PM

If you want awesome intensity with incredible PAR (950!) go with SE Iwasakis on a PFO HQI ballast. I'm running two 250watt Iwasakis on a PFO dual 250watt HQI ballast, and the intensity is incredible! I even tried my new replacement SE XM 250watt 10k's on the HQI, and they burn super white and very intense (unlike the previous defective yellow XM 10ks). I doubt you would ever have problems with XM SE bulbs as long as you used an HQI ballast. As for the SE Iwasakis, they even burn brighter than any DE 250watt HQI bulb I've seen. Using the HQI ballast with Iwasakis pretty much eliminates the yellow you would get from a standard mh ballast. They burn nice and white, almost as white as the XMs. Spend the extra $$$ and get the HQI ballast.

By the way, you won't even need actinic supplements if you use the HQI ballast. Yeah, it looks that good.

want2reef · 01/27/2006, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by brad23
What is the difference between the Hamilton 14k and the EVC 14k?

I've had both in 250W.

EVC has a lot more blue.

Wolfgang · 01/27/2006, 07:58 AM

XM 10K's get my Vote! The Reeflux look promising as well.

john rochon · 01/27/2006, 07:59 AM

uh yeh because the HQI ballast is over driveing the lamps bigtime therefore shortening there lifespan by alot! those ballasts were meant for DE lamps and some euro lamps.

brad23 · 01/27/2006, 08:37 AM

I think I'm going with the EVC 14k bulbs I don't want a 10k and my tank looking white until I can buy blue light which will not be for a few months.

phishlet · 01/27/2006, 08:09 PM

I'd go for just about anything over the XM 10k. Yes they are bright but they've had color consistency problems, color shifting issues and they just seem to be more yellow to me than other options. In the 10k range try the AB 10k lamps or the Reeflux 10k lamp.

VaderWS6 · 01/27/2006, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by john rochon
uh yeh because the HQI ballast is over driveing the lamps bigtime therefore shortening there lifespan by alot!

Yeah, thats pretty much a given. But if you're using Iwasakis, you really don't have anything to worry about.

XM is a different story. We'll see how long their color lasts on my HQI, I'll keep you guys posted.

01/25/2006, 06:59 PM	#1
brad23 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bloomington IL Posts: 2,959	MH Bulbs, which one should I go with? I'm sure what bulb to go with. I have a 75g I'm looking at the XM 10k and I see it has a really high par reading above most other bulbs. Also I was looking at the EVC TEK 10k or 14k as they are $20 cheaper with this retro combo. I'm mostly keeping LPS some softies, but want a clam and maybe some SPS later on. Which setup would be best for me? __________________ Ye old English Current Tank Info: 75g reef

01/25/2006, 08:39 PM	#2
brad23 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bloomington IL Posts: 2,959	bump __________________ Ye old English Current Tank Info: 75g reef

01/25/2006, 08:46 PM	#3
JR719 Tang Cop Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: OK Posts: 2,240	I went from Ushio 10K's to XM 10k's. I'm going back to Ushio when the XM's are used up. Mine have a yellow tint to them as my Ushio's were a nice white. Others have said their XM's are a crisp white, but not mine. Don't want to spend the money again just to get yellow bulbs. The par on the XM's is greater though. I am more interested in the overall look. Even with 2 URI VHO actinics, still a tinge of yellow. __________________ Can't sleep, clowns will eat me. America is the most grandiose experiment the world has seen, but, I am afraid, it is not going to be a success. Sigmund Freud Current Tank Info: 300 reef, Aqua controller, Deltec calcium reactor, Reeflo 250 skimmer, Icecap bla bla bla

01/25/2006, 09:28 PM	#4
brad23 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bloomington IL Posts: 2,959	I might go with the EVC 14k I was told they are more bue and not to yellow or white. Will they put out enough par for what I want to keep? __________________ Ye old English Current Tank Info: 75g reef

01/25/2006, 10:54 PM	#5
brad23 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bloomington IL Posts: 2,959	bump __________________ Ye old English Current Tank Info: 75g reef

01/25/2006, 11:38 PM	#6
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	Are you supplementing with actinic? If not I would stay away from any 10k bulb unless you like bright white (no blue). The hamiliton 14ks look nice (175w SE's). What wattage and type bulb are you looking at? __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

01/26/2006, 09:13 AM	#7
brad23 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bloomington IL Posts: 2,959	I wasn't going have actinic for now just the MH bulbs. Maybe I should stay with a 14k. __________________ Ye old English Current Tank Info: 75g reef

01/26/2006, 12:18 PM	#8
timr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: West Chester, Ohio Posts: 57	Look here at Sanjay's info on the bulbs. He a lot of info on 175 and 250 watt bulbs. I have the EVC 14K 175 bulb and it is definitely blue. From a quality perspective I have not had a problem with the EVC equipment in the 1 year I have owned the system. Here is the link to Sanjay's site: http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/

01/26/2006, 01:13 PM	#9
brad23 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bloomington IL Posts: 2,959	I don't know, I will get actinic sometime or another I could probably deal with looking at 10k for a while. __________________ Ye old English Current Tank Info: 75g reef

01/26/2006, 02:12 PM	#10
timr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: West Chester, Ohio Posts: 57	If you compare the EVC 10K and 14K bulbs at 175 watts it is surprising that the 14k bulb has a par of 58 compared to 57 for the 10k bulb. This makes the 14k bulb slightly more efficient than the 10k bulb as well. In the 175 watt class the bulbs there is almost no difference in PAR. BUT at the 250 watt EVC bulbs the par is 110 for a 10K and only 71 for the 14k.

01/26/2006, 02:24 PM	#11
brad23 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bloomington IL Posts: 2,959	Hmmmmmm now I don't know what to get. I don't really plan on getting SPS maybe a peace. I'd a clam and maybe a BTA. __________________ Ye old English Current Tank Info: 75g reef

01/26/2006, 03:04 PM	#12
Ceak Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 317	If you're looking for a DE bulb then get the Phoenix 14Ks. They are crisp white with a good hint of blue (nice blue not purple) and look very nice with our without actinic supplementation. The PAR is good too, way better then most 13-15k bulbs ...

01/26/2006, 03:32 PM	#13
brad23 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bloomington IL Posts: 2,959	These were the units I was looking at buying, they do have a selcetion of bulbs you can choose for it. http://oceanencounter.com/Merchant2/...ory_Code=EVMHR __________________ Ye old English Current Tank Info: 75g reef

01/26/2006, 04:27 PM	#14
Paulairduck I LOVE FREE FRAGS!!! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chino Hills Posts: 2,909	hamilton 14k I am using Hamilton 14k ,175 watt and love them! I am not using actinic supplementation and the tank still looks good.

01/26/2006, 08:55 PM	#15
brad23 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bloomington IL Posts: 2,959	bump __________________ Ye old English Current Tank Info: 75g reef

01/26/2006, 08:58 PM	#16
Sindjin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tampa Posts: 1,436	I just added Hamilton 14k's today. I love them! I also have 2 VHO ACtinic supplements. I love the blueish white... it really brought out the color of my tort! I was running ReefGrow 10k's...way too yellow, IMO. __________________ SeaTest Hydrometer?.... $8.00 Seachem Marine Test Kit? ...$24.00 The look on my wife's face as I'm staring out into our 35 acre lake and wondering how much salt I'll need?... Priceless. Current Tank Info: 120 gallon, DIY Stand & Canopy, 2-250w 14ks w/ 2- 110 VHO actinics, ASM G-3, 50g sump, 46x tank turnover.

01/26/2006, 09:08 PM	#17
brad23 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bloomington IL Posts: 2,959	What is the difference between the Hamilton 14k and the EVC 14k? __________________ Ye old English Current Tank Info: 75g reef

01/26/2006, 09:15 PM	#18
brad23 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bloomington IL Posts: 2,959	I just looked at Sanjays graphs and the EVC and Hamilton seem to be very close with the EVC slightly ahead in par read out. __________________ Ye old English Current Tank Info: 75g reef

01/26/2006, 10:01 PM	#19
VaderWS6 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,644	If you want awesome intensity with incredible PAR (950!) go with SE Iwasakis on a PFO HQI ballast. I'm running two 250watt Iwasakis on a PFO dual 250watt HQI ballast, and the intensity is incredible! I even tried my new replacement SE XM 250watt 10k's on the HQI, and they burn super white and very intense (unlike the previous defective yellow XM 10ks). I doubt you would ever have problems with XM SE bulbs as long as you used an HQI ballast. As for the SE Iwasakis, they even burn brighter than any DE 250watt HQI bulb I've seen. Using the HQI ballast with Iwasakis pretty much eliminates the yellow you would get from a standard mh ballast. They burn nice and white, almost as white as the XMs. Spend the extra $$$ and get the HQI ballast. By the way, you won't even need actinic supplements if you use the HQI ballast. Yeah, it looks that good. __________________ 2001 black T/A WS6~M6 ASC#6979 331rwhp/348rwtq Mods: !CAGS, Pro 5.0, TSP lid, BGRA, Raptor shift light, Strange 4.10 gears, Strano springs, SLP Bilstein shocks, GMMG exhaust Current Tank Info: Main reef:75 gallon w/ 2 250watt Radium 20k run on a PFO dual 250watt HQI ballast w/Lumenbright mini reflectors. 4 110watt VHO actinics for dawn/dusk,Geo kalkreactor,Litermeter 3,Xtreme 160 skimmer,2 Vortech mp40w's

01/27/2006, 07:58 AM	#21
Wolfgang Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 465	XM 10K's get my Vote! The Reeflux look promising as well. __________________ 75 Gal Reef Ready, Vertex Omega 150 Skimmer, Maxspect Riptide Gyre Pump, ATI 4x48 Sunpower T5, Bubble Magnus Doser. Current Tank Info: 75 gal Reef

01/27/2006, 07:59 AM	#22
john rochon Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: canada Posts: 2,082	uh yeh because the HQI ballast is over driveing the lamps bigtime therefore shortening there lifespan by alot! those ballasts were meant for DE lamps and some euro lamps.

01/27/2006, 08:37 AM	#23
brad23 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bloomington IL Posts: 2,959	I think I'm going with the EVC 14k bulbs I don't want a 10k and my tank looking white until I can buy blue light which will not be for a few months. __________________ Ye old English Current Tank Info: 75g reef

01/27/2006, 08:09 PM	#24
phishlet Premium Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,458	I'd go for just about anything over the XM 10k. Yes they are bright but they've had color consistency problems, color shifting issues and they just seem to be more yellow to me than other options. In the 10k range try the AB 10k lamps or the Reeflux 10k lamp. __________________ (reef a quar i um) n: Water-filled enclosure where a constant supply of money is thrown. Current Tank Info: 350 gallon Hex; 8 gallon nano