Favorite MH bulb(s)?

[Reefstick]

I have been using SE 175W 14,000K bulbs for 5 months on my 75G and I really like the look the corals are growing faster too, I am however going for a mix on the 150G, when I can get it set up....$$$.... I am thinking 2X 250W 20,000K blue, and 3X 250W 10,000K.

The 175's I got from "Aqua Universe" (I know, I should be take outside and beaten.) but I didn't know anything about MH's when I bought them.
Does anyone know what brand bulb they are including in their retro fit kits?
All I know is the bulb said "reef grow" on the packaging, and the guy at AU said they get them from Germany or something, but couldn't give a name brand. He did say that RC (Reef Central) was testing them for him.

I don't think I will go through them again. But other than the lack of knowledge, they were very nice, and I got the retro fit kit in 3 days from CA to CO.

 

[bullet_buddy]

Anyone try reeflux bulbs?

 

[Craig Manoukian]

Sorry, haven't seen that brand.

 

[cheeks69]

Anyone tried the aqua connect 14k bulbs ? I've only found one supplier and they're very expensive $120 range but give off a great color and the PAR #'s appear to be real good according to a thread at RC.

 

[Woodstock]

Aqua Connect 14k bulbs???? hummm.... What is their PAR rating? Will a magnetic ballast work with them? I will need new bulbs soon....

 

[cheeks69]

Doni I found out about these bulbs in a thread at RC unfortunately now can't find it but I love the color ! I'm gunna try to find it again

 

[cheeks69]

Here it is Doni http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=468644

The AC 14 250 DE puts out 86 par off of a PFO HQI Ballast, a Ushio 10 on the same Ballast is 88 par, I might be off a unit or so but this is pretty close....the AC puts out the most par for the blue bulbs, they are pricy and hard to find though

 

[blue_eyes53813]

I ordered new MH bulbs and I switched to 20K... I will now have (3) 250watts at 10K and (3) 250 watts at 20K. I was told it would average out to look like around 14-15k bulbs, I hope i was informed right.

 

[Woodstock]

Thanks Robert! Too bad it's a DE bulb or I would try it out...

 

[cheeks69]

Thanks Robert! Too bad it's a DE bulb or I would try it out...

They have SE http://www.aquaristics.com/pro_lighthit.php

 

[Woodstock]

Is a M81 ballast the same as a magnetic ballast? I have magnetic ballasts and wondering if these will run on them.

 

[cheeks69]

Humm the M80 is an HQI ballast and I'm sure it'll run them not sure if it's the same as yours though !

 

[Woodstock]

Thanks Robert

 

[Vanquish]

I noticed that most uses a SE here?? Why not a DE? DE has better intensity and the spread can be as good with a good reflector...

 

[cheeks69]

DE has better intensity and the spread can be as good with a good reflector...

The reason for the intensity difference is the pendant type reflectors, if you use SE bulbs with a good reflector like the LumenArc I bet it would be just as good if not better than the DE bulbs. Also the bulb selection is much better on the SE bulbs.

 

[Witfull]

its all in th ballast,,,HQI over drive SE,,,,so equivallent out put is the same

 

[Woodstock]

Reflector and ballast are very important! They are not all the same.

 

[cheeks69]

250w 12k coralvue:

250 watt XM 10k:

250w aqua connect 14k 2 hours burn time:

 

[billyr98]

i like the 10k int he picture... its the most clear.. no blue tint!

 

[Craig Manoukian]

I loved my 10K bulbs!