Lighting Help

tontra · 05-03-2007, 12:40 PM

I was thinking of this light setup. 4-t12 actinic bulbs and a 250 watt single end MH around 14,000 or 15,000K. How the heck am I supposed to know which brand is the best in terms of life, output quality and especially visual appeal. I currently am using 4-t12 actinics and a 250 watt ushio 10,000k bulb that came with the used tank i recently bought. The color is a bit too yellow for my taste hence the decision to go with a higher Kelvin MH. Can anyone give their opinions and experiences wih different bulbs? I have no reef inhabitants yet.

blue_eyes53813 · 05-03-2007, 01:29 PM

I like Ushio ,reeflux and XM bulbs.. All great bulbs

tontra · 05-03-2007, 02:52 PM

Thanks Blue Eyes. Can anyone else out there put in their 2 cents?

tontra · 05-03-2007, 04:51 PM

I used to get a lot more feedback on this website. Has there been a drop in active membership or do people just reply to newer members? Just curious....

blue_eyes53813 · 05-03-2007, 05:06 PM

Im sure more will respond on their favorite bulbs.

lcstorc · 05-03-2007, 06:30 PM

I use XM but mine are HQI so that may make a difference.

Woodstock · 05-03-2007, 07:11 PM

SE 250 Xm 10k and Reeflux 10k are great bulbs charged by Icecap electronic ballasts.

mps9506 · 05-03-2007, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tontra

I used to get a lot more feedback on this website. Has there been a drop in active membership or do people just reply to newer members? Just curious....

It slows down sometimes during the day when most people are at work

AFA as bulbs I actually like the Ushio 10k's, although they do tend to yellow as they get older. The AB's 10k's are a little bit more of a crisp white/blueish in color, however work best with either a pulse start or electric ballast.
If you want examples of what different bulbs look like colorwise check out:
CnidarianReef: Lamp Tests

When it comes to lamp life, I've found most I've used last about the same. I've stuck to Ushio, AB, Coralvue and XM. Depending on what kind of ballast you have your bulb life will vary.

05-03-2007, 12:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
tontra Bryozoan Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 43 View Gallery Karma Komment	Lighting Help I was thinking of this light setup. 4-t12 actinic bulbs and a 250 watt single end MH around 14,000 or 15,000K. How the heck am I supposed to know which brand is the best in terms of life, output quality and especially visual appeal. I currently am using 4-t12 actinics and a 250 watt ushio 10,000k bulb that came with the used tank i recently bought. The color is a bit too yellow for my taste hence the decision to go with a higher Kelvin MH. Can anyone give their opinions and experiences wih different bulbs? I have no reef inhabitants yet.

05-03-2007, 01:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 6,255 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Lighting Help I like Ushio ,reeflux and XM bulbs.. All great bulbs __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

05-03-2007, 02:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
tontra Bryozoan Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 43 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Lighting Help Thanks Blue Eyes. Can anyone else out there put in their 2 cents?

05-03-2007, 04:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
tontra Bryozoan Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 43 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Lighting Help I used to get a lot more feedback on this website. Has there been a drop in active membership or do people just reply to newer members? Just curious....

05-03-2007, 05:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 6,255 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Lighting Help Im sure more will respond on their favorite bulbs. __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

05-03-2007, 06:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 18,454 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Lighting Help I use XM but mine are HQI so that may make a difference. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

05-03-2007, 07:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 22,857 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Lighting Help SE 250 Xm 10k and Reeflux 10k are great bulbs charged by Icecap electronic ballasts. __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* ~120 Reef Chronicle ~ *~Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 120 mixed reef, dual Reeflux 10k 250 MHs, dual Geiseman Actinic T5s,Neptune AC III, ASM g3, 2x Korallia #3, Mag 9.5 return

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